word

1 of 2

noun

ˈwərd 

1

a(1)

: a speech sound or series of speech sounds that symbolizes and communicates a meaning usually without being divisible into smaller units capable of independent use

(2)

: the entire set of linguistic forms produced by combining a single base with various inflectional elements without change in the part of speech elements

b(1)

: a written or printed character or combination of characters representing a spoken word

the number of words to a line

—sometimes used with the first letter of a real or pretended taboo word prefixed as an often humorous euphemism

the first man to utter the f word on British TV

—Time

we were not afraid to use the d word and talk about death

—Erma Bombeck

(2)

: any segment of written or printed discourse ordinarily appearing between spaces or between a space and a punctuation mark

2

a

: a brief remark or conversation

would like to have a word with you

b

: something that is said

c words plural

(1)

: talk, discourse

putting one's feelings into words

(2)

: the text of a vocal musical composition

3

: order, command

don't move till I give the word

4

a

: news, information

sent word that he would be late

b

: rumor

5

: promise, declaration

kept her word

6

: a quarrelsome utterance or conversation

—usually used in plural

they had words and parted

7

often capitalized

a

: the expressed or manifested mind and will of God

b

: gospel sense 1a

c

: logos

8

: the act of speaking or of making verbal communication

9

: saying, proverb

10

: a number of bytes processed as a unit and conveying a quantum of information in communication and computer work

11

: a verbal signal : password

12

slang

—used interjectionally to express agreement

word

2 of 2

verb

worded; wording; words

transitive verb

: to express in words : phrase

a carefully worded reply

intransitive verb

archaic : speak

Phrases

good word

1

: a favorable statement

put in a good word for me

2

: good news

what's the good word

in a word

: in short

in so many words

1

: in exactly those terms

implied that such actions were criminal but did not say so in so many words

2

: in plain forthright language

in so many words, she wasn't fit to be seen

—Jean Stafford

of few words

: not inclined to say more than is necessary : laconic

a man of few words

of one's word

: that can be relied on to keep a promise

—used only after man or woman

a man of his word

upon my word

: with my assurance : indeed, assuredly

upon my word, I've never heard of such a thing

Did you know?

What makes a word a real word?

The word word has a wide range of meanings and uses in English. Yet one of the most often looked for pieces of information regarding word is not something that would be found in its definition. Instead, it is some variant of the question, What makes a word a real word?

One of the most prolific areas of change and variation in English is vocabulary; new words are constantly being coined to name or describe new inventions or innovations, or to better identify aspects of our rapidly changing world. Constraints of time, money, and staff would make it impossible for any dictionary, no matter how large, to capture a fully comprehensive account of all the words in the language. And even if such a leviathan reference was somehow fashioned, the dictionary would be obsolete the instant it was published as speakers and writers continued generating new terms to meet their constantly changing needs.

Most general English dictionaries are designed to include only those words that meet certain criteria of usage across wide areas and over extended periods of time (for more details about how words are chosen for dictionary entry, read "How does a word get into a Merriam-Webster dictionary?" in our FAQ). As a result, they may omit words that are still in the process of becoming established, those that are too highly specialized, or those that are so informal that they are rarely documented in professionally edited writing. But the words left out are as real as those that gain entry; the former simply haven't met the criteria for dictionary entry–at least not yet (newer ones may ultimately gain admission to the dictionary's pages if they gain sufficient use).

However, in preparing your own writings, it is worth remembering that the dictionary encompasses the most widely used terms in English. Words that are left out may have usage limited to specific, isolated, or informal contexts, so they should be used carefully.

Synonyms

Noun

• expression
• term

Verb

• articulate
• clothe
• couch
• express
• formulate
• phrase
• put
• say
• state

Examples of word in a Sentence

Noun

How do you spell that word?

“Please” is a useful word.

Our teacher often used words I didn't know.

What is the French word for car?

Describe the experience in your own words.

The lawyer used Joe's words against him.

She gave the word to begin.

We will wait for your word before we serve dinner.

Verb

Could we word the headline differently?

tried to word the declaration exactly right

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rabinovich offers a masterful overview without wasting a word. —Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024

In the stunned, ringing silence of the visiting locker room, Lutz and many others struggled to find words to describe the sting. —Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024

Verb

The way Congress worded the Commodity Exchange Act has hurt the CFTC in court so far, said Mark Wetjen, a former commissioner and acting chairman of the agency who is now a partner at Dentons law firm. —Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 1 Nov. 2024

That means the Supreme Court would interpret the Code of Judicial Conduct, which is loosely worded. —Chris Forsyth, The Denver Post, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German wort word, Latin verbum, Greek eirein to say, speak, Hittite weriya- to call, name

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing word

• a brief word
• a word in someone's ear
• a word of warning
• a word to the wise
• big word
• by word of mouth
• code word
• content word
• curse word
• dirty word
• entry word
• fighting word
• form word
• four-letter word
• from the word go
• function word
• ghost word
• give (someone) one's word
• go back on one's word
• guide word
• hang on someone's every word
• have a word in your ear
• have a word with (someone)
• have the last word
• in every sense of the word
• in the strict/strictest sense (of the word)
• keep one's word
• key word
• know the meaning of the word
• last word
• man/woman of his/her word
• mum's the word
• my word
• my word is my bond
• not say/breathe a word
• not speak a word
• not speak a word of
• not utter a word
• portmanteau word
• printed page/word
• put/get the word out
• put in a good word
• say the word
• send word
• someone's word is his/her bond
• someone's word is law
• spread the word
• swear word
• take someone's word for it
• the last/final word
• the n-word
• true to one's word
• weasel word
• what's the good word
• word-association test
• word class
• word for word
• word-hoard
• word-mongering
• word of honor
• word of mouth
• word on the street
• word order
• word-perfect
• word problem
• word processing
• word processor
• word/rumor has it
• word salad
• word square
• word stress
• word wrap

Kids Definition

word

1 of 2 noun

ˈwərd 

1

: a sound or combination of sounds that has meaning and is spoken by a human being

2

: a written or printed letter or letters standing for a spoken word

3

: a brief remark or conversation

could I have a word with you

4

: order entry 1 sense 5b

give the word to begin

5

a

: news sense 1

any word on how they are

b

: rumor

6

: promise entry 1 sense 1

I give you my word

7

: a remark or conversation uttered in anger

—usually used in plural

words were exchanged and a fight broke out

word

2 of 2 verb

: to express in words : phrase

worded their request with great care