script

1 of 3

noun (1)

plural scripts
1
a
: something written : text
b
: an original or principal instrument or document
(2)
: the written text of a stage play, screenplay, or broadcast
specifically : the one used in production or performance
2
a
: a style of printed letters that resembles handwriting
b
: written characters : handwriting
c
3
: a plan of action
4
computing : a sequence of instructions or commands for a computer to execute
especially : one that automates a small task (such as assembling or sorting a set of data)
Two engineers, a biologist and a zoologist wrote a computer script that downloaded the lyrics, band names and genre categories from all songs on the website www.metalkingdom.net. Fedor Zarkhin

script

2 of 3

verb

scripted; scripting; scripts

transitive verb

1
: to prepare a script for or from
2
: to provide carefully considered details for (such as a plan of action)
an event carefully scripted to attract attention

script

3 of 3

noun (2)

Examples of script in a Sentence

Verb I scripted three episodes of the show. The discussion couldn't have gone better if we had scripted it. The trip didn't go as scripted.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
When Nolan approached Göransson with his nearly 300-page script for Oppenheimer, the composer was intrigued from the very first page. Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2024 Everybody has their own script, which is really interesting. Josh Condon, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2024 Imaginary Trailer Teases a Spooky Teddy Bear: Watch The actress and singer says she was hooked after getting the script. Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 But most scripts coming out of the lab are now gathering dust in a drawer. John Hopewell, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 Kouassi was a script consultant on the film, meeting multiple times with Garrone and his co-writers. Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Selected candidates are then invited to audition using either the real scripts or, for more spoiler-sensitive shows, fake ones the writers whip up. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Director Joel Souza, who was injured by the same bullet that killed Hutchins, testified last week that Baldwin initially hired him to pen the script for the film, which initially had a $7.5-million budget. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Mike and Julie Scully will co-write the script and exec produce the pilot alongside Allen and Last Man’s Marty Adelstein, Becky Clements, Richard Baker and Rick Messina. Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
Shot over ten days in up to 112 degree heat, and sans script, the dessert sequences act as interstitials and transitions between the film’s chapters. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024 How much of that final pool scene was scripted, and how much was the actors just talking about their experience being on the series? Megan Vick, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 Although increasingly scripted, the premier’s news conference at the National People’s Congress was watched by the Chinese public and the world’s political and business elite for signs of economic policy shifts and, occasionally, high-level power plays taking place beneath the surface. Li Yuan, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 They may be scripted, but the meetings are often a vehicle for important announcements. Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 The screenplay was written by Samy Burch, who just earned an Oscar nomination for scripting Netflix's May December. Christian Holub, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024 Though scripted, Ivo’s life feels genuine, made up of messy, seemingly mundane details. Peter Debruge, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 The new division will focus on developing content for documentaries, original scripted and unscripted television, feature films and short-form content. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2024 The commissioner brushed aside the conspiracy theory that Swift’s relationship with Kelce is scripted. Rob Maaddi, The Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Latin scriptum thing written, from neuter of scriptus, past participle of scribere to write — more at scribe

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of script was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near script

Cite this Entry

“Script.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/script. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

script

noun
ˈskript
1
a
: something written : text
b
: the written text of a stage play, screenplay, or broadcast
2
: letters and figures written by hand : handwriting

Medical Definition

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