byword

noun

by·​word ˈbī-ˌwərd How to pronounce byword (audio)
1
: a proverbial saying : proverb
2
a
: one that personifies a type
b
: one that is noteworthy or notorious
3
4
: a frequently used word or phrase

Examples of byword in a Sentence

Mom's favorite byword is “You can get more flies with honey than with vinegar”. nationally, Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive has become a byword for luxury retailing
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The event became a byword in the militia movement, influencing Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. Daily Briefing, AZCentral.com, 23 Aug. 2025 Soho House: From cool London origins to global influence Founded on London’s Greek Street in 1995, Soho House rapidly became a byword for luxury, exclusivity, and a vibrant creative scene. Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025 Moreover, in the case of Kafka, a highly idiosyncratic writer, whose very name has become a byword for modern alienation and bureaucratic absurdity, the influence of his elegant and long-canonical early translators Willa and Edwin Muir still looms large. Mark Harman august 8, Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025 Before Wales’ women’s teams were given names on the back of their shirts in 2019, Fishlock’s was the one people could reel off, a byword for Welsh women’s football. Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for byword

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of byword was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Byword.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/byword. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

byword

noun
by·​word -ˌwərd How to pronounce byword (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on byword

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!