context

noun

con·​text ˈkän-ˌtekst How to pronounce context (audio)
1
: the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning
2
: the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs : environment, setting
the historical context of the war
contextless adjective
contextual
kän-ˈteks-chə-wəl How to pronounce context (audio)
kən-
-chəl
-chü-əl
adjective
contextually adverb

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Context, in Context

In its earliest uses (documented in the 15th century), context meant "the weaving together of words in language." This sense, now obsolete, developed logically from the word's source in Latin, contexere "to weave or join together." Context now most commonly refers to the environment or setting in which something (whether words or events) exists. When we say that something is contextualized, we mean that it is placed in an appropriate setting, one in which it may be properly considered.

Examples of context in a Sentence

… it was Dickens who first used the word 'detective' in a literary context John Mullan, How Novels Work, 2006
Entrepreneurship and civil freedoms depend on a context of civil order, predictability, and individual security. Susan L. Woodward, Balkan Tragedy, 1995
… the old building, its original acre, inside its high outer wall, was immune to change, out of context and out of time. Harriet Doerr, The Tiger in the Grass, 1995
We need to look at the event within the larger context of world history. The book puts these events in their proper historical and social contexts. We need to consider these events in context.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Zucker was talking about it in the context of the players, which is relevant. Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025 Combs’ team even claims that crucial portions of the video were removed to hide context that could lessen the severity of the situation. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 18 Apr. 2025 The Price That Royals context is important for understanding the roughly $600 million price paid by the Miller family. Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 18 Apr. 2025 Whenever possible, take time to explore the context behind the advice. Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for context

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contexte "text, composition," borrowed from Medieval Latin contextus "sequence, connection, setting," going back to Latin, "action of weaving, connection, coherence, ordered scheme, structure," from contexere "to weave together, connect (words), compose, combine" (from con- con- + texere "to weave, construct") + -tus, suffix of action nouns — more at technical entry 1

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of context was in 1577

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Cite this Entry

“Context.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/context. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

context

noun
con·​text ˈkän-ˌtekst How to pronounce context (audio)
1
: the parts of something written or spoken that are near a certain word or group of words and that help to explain its meaning
2
: the circumstances in which something exists or occurs
contextual adjective
contextually
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on context

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