buzzword

noun

buzz·​word ˈbəz-ˌwərd How to pronounce buzzword (audio)
1
: an important-sounding usually technical word or phrase often of little meaning used chiefly to impress laymen
2
: a voguish word or phrase

called also buzz phrase

Examples of buzzword in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But its stock still shot up 20% in after-hours trading after the company excited investors about the tech industry’s favorite buzzwords: artificial intelligence. Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 For years, and perhaps even decades, the idea of corporate social responsibility was a buzzword. Wayne Elsey, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 TikTok and other social media sites seem to spawn new viral dating terms and buzzwords everyday. USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2024 The metaverse isn’t just a fancy buzzword for virtual reality, either. Gene Park, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2024 Despite these notions, in the last few years, mainly during the pandemic, the industry seemed to be turning a new leaf with diversity and inclusion being top buzzwords. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 30 Jan. 2024 Artificial intelligence is easily the biggest buzzword for world leaders and corporate bosses diving into big ideas at the World Economic Forum’s glitzy annual meeting in Davos. Kelvin Chan, Fortune, 18 Jan. 2024 Embracing Innovation In The Current Event Landscape Innovation and disruption are buzzwords, sure. Sonali Nair, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 In his first interview of the year, Mohan rattles off advertising statistics, figures, and corporate buzzwords that prove the NFL and YouTube are currently in a mutually beneficial relationship. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'buzzword.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of buzzword was in 1946

Dictionary Entries Near buzzword

Cite this Entry

“Buzzword.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buzzword. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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