acronym
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.ac·ro·nym
noun \ˈa-krə-ˌnim\Definition of ACRONYM
: a word (as NATO, radar, or laser) formed from the initial letter or letters of each of the successive parts or major parts of a compound term; also : an abbreviation (as FBI) formed from initial letters : initialism
— ac·ro·nym·ic \ˌa-krə-ˈni-mik\ adjective
— ac·ro·nym·i·cal·ly \-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
See Examples of ACRONYM
- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is known by the acronym “NATO.”
Origin of ACRONYM
acr- + -onym
First Known Use: 1943
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
Learn More About ACRONYM
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: acropetal
Previous Word in the Dictionary: acronarcotic (noun)
All Words Near: acronym
Previous Word in the Dictionary: acronarcotic (noun)
All Words Near: acronym
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up acronym? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
