word

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a unit of language that native speakers can identify

   Words are the blocks from which sentences are made.

2. 2
   noun

   information about recent and important events

   What's the word on the new smart phone?

3. 3
   noun

   a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group

   I forgot the word, but can you still let me in?

4. 4
   noun

   a brief statement

   I didn't say a word about it to anyone.

5. 5
   noun

   an exchange of views on some topic

   We sat down and had words about politics.

6. 6
   noun

   a verbal command for action

   When I give the word, charge!

7. 7
   noun

   a highly valued promise

   I gave my word to you, yet you still managed to not trust me.

8. 8
   noun

   a string of bits stored in computer memory

   Large computers use words up to 64 bits long.

Etymology

From Middle English word, from Old English word, from Proto-West Germanic *word, from Proto-Germanic *wurdą (“word”), from Proto-Indo-European *werdʰh₁om (“word”), from *werh₁- (“to say, speak”). Doublet of verb, verve, and vort; further related to vrata. Cognates Cognate with Scots wird (“word”), North Frisian uurd, Uurt, wurd, wårde, wür (“word”), Saterland Frisian Woud, Wud (“word”), West Frisian wurd (“word”), Alemannic German wort, wourd, wuart, wòrt, wört (“word”), Bavarian boart, bort, bört, Wurt (“word”), Cimbrian bóart, bort (“word”), Dutch woord (“word”), German Wort (“word”), German…