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dictionary
noun
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dic·tio·nary
| \ ˈdik-shə-ˌner-ē
, -ˌne-rē \
plural dictionaries
Definition of dictionary
1
: a reference source in print or electronic form containing words usually alphabetically arranged along with information about their forms, pronunciations, functions, etymologies, meanings, and syntactic and idiomatic uses
2
: a reference book listing alphabetically terms or names important to a particular subject or activity along with discussion of their meanings and applications
3
: a reference book listing alphabetically the words of one language and showing their meanings or translations in another language
4
: a computerized list (as of items of data or words) used for reference (as for information retrieval or word processing)
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Example Sentences
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Synonyms for dictionary
Synonyms
lexicon, wordbook
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Examples of dictionary in a Sentence
Famed for his dictionary, "Rambler" essays and The Lives of the English Poets, Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) remains one of the most-quoted and carefully observed authors who ever lived.
— Publishers Weekly, 21 July 2008
I still read relatively slowly in Yiddish, with frequent recourse to a dictionary, and my first year of graduate school found me at my desk till two or three in the morning every night …
— Aaron Lansky, Outwitting History, 2004
Look it up in the dictionary.
try to develop the habit of going to the dictionary whenever you encounter an unfamiliar word
Recent Examples on the Web
Parker Price-Miller would rather be studying a racetrack than a medical dictionary.
—
Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 21 May 2022
These guys spend ungodly amounts of time creating and tweaking (then re-creating and re-tweaking) new routine to get bigger and better pumps, with a list of exercises longer than a dictionary.
—
Jeff Tomko, Men's Health, 29 Apr. 2022
While cleaning out the Father’s things, for instance, Alice comes across a dictionary; Chen tracks the wandering of her mind in a rangy mini-essay about literacy, from immigrant assimilation to prison libraries to the Internet.
—
Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2022
Experts also pointed out that because of how the judge’s decision was developed, the dictionary could become a star witness in future proceedings.
—
Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2022
In the Oxford dictionary, the technical definition of sacrificial is something designed to be used up or destroyed in fulfilling a purpose or function.
—
Isis Dallis, Quartz, 21 Apr. 2022
The dictionary’s Twitter account earned a reputation for trolling members of the Trump administration.
—
Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2022
Webster is known to posterity as the father of the American dictionary.
—
Bryan A. Garner, National Review, 17 Mar. 2022
All of which is to say that the mandate was revoked by a judge who studied economics and philosophy and who consulted a dictionary for enlightenment.
—
Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2022
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These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dictionary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of dictionary
1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology for dictionary
borrowed from Medieval Latin dictiōnārium, name for an alphabetized guide to the Vulgate, earlier dictiōnārius, name for a Latin textbook in which words are grouped by topic (apparently coined by its author, the 13th-century English-born university teacher John of Garland), from Latin dictiōn-, dictiō "speech, (in grammar) word, expression" + -ārius, -ārium -ary entry 1 — more at diction
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Time Traveler for dictionary
The first known use of dictionary was
in 1526
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Watch More on dictionary
Our Dictionary Through Time
Webster's legendary editions from 1828 through today
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
How Words Are Dropped from the...
How Words Are Dropped from the Dictionary
Word Matters, Episode 61
How to Use the Dictionary
How to Use the Dictionary
Take it from the people who know.
A Dictionary is a Map to the World of...
A Dictionary is a Map to the World of Words
Words can take kids anywhere, and children's dictionaries will guide them on their way
Dictionary Entries Near dictionary
diction
dictionary
dictionary catalog
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Last Updated
31 May 2022
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Cite this Entry
“Dictionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictionary. Accessed 9 Jun. 2022.
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More Definitions for dictionary
dictionary
noun
dic·tio·nary
| \ ˈdik-shə-ˌner-ē
\
plural dictionaries
Kids Definition of dictionary
1
: a book giving the meaning and usually the pronunciation of words listed in alphabetical order
2
: a reference book explaining words of a particular subject listed in alphabetical order
a medical dictionary
3
: a book listing words of one language in alphabetical order with definitions in another language
More from Merriam-Webster on dictionary
Nglish: Translation of dictionary for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of dictionary for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dictionary
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