palindrome

noun

pal·​in·​drome ˈpa-lən-ˌdrōm 

: a word, verse, or sentence (such as "Able was I ere I saw Elba") or a number (such as 1881) that reads the same backward or forward

palindromic

ˌpa-lən-ˈdrō-mik 

-ˈdrä-

adjective

palindromist

ˈpa-lən-ˌdrō-mist 

noun

Did you know?

Palindrome comes from Greek palindromos, meaning "running back again," which itself is from palin ("back," "again") and dramein ("to run"). Nowadays, we appreciate a clever palindrome—such as "Drab as a fool, aloof as a bard" or "A man, a plan, a canal: Panama"—or even a simple one like "race car," but in the past palindromes were more than just smart wordplay. Some folks thought they were magical, and they carved them on walls or amulets for protection.

Examples of palindrome in a Sentence

The word “dad” and the number “1881” are palindromes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Several food joints are rolling out deals for the day, weekend or even month in honor of 4/20, which is a special palindrome date this year. —The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024

More:What to know about 4/20, marijuana's biggest day of the year in Arizona and nationwide What is a palindrome? —The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek palindromos running back again, from palin back, again + dramein to run; akin to Greek polos axis, pole — more at pole, dromedary

First Known Use

circa 1637, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

palindrome

noun

pal·​in·​drome ˈpal-ən-ˌdrōm 

: a word, phrase, or sentence (as "Step on no pets") or a number (as 1881) that reads the same backward or forward

Medical Definition

palindrome

noun

pal·​in·​drome ˈpal-ən-ˌdrōm 

: a palindromic sequence of DNA