acronym

noun

ac·ro·nym | \ ˈa-krə-ˌnim

Definition of acronym

: a word (such 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 (such as FBI) formed from initial letters : initialism

Other Words from acronym Frequently Asked Questions About acronym Example Sentences Learn More about acronym

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Other Words from acronym

acronymic \ ˌa-krə-ˈni-mik

\ adjective

acronymically \ ˌa-krə-ˈni-mi-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

Frequently Asked Questions About acronym

What is the difference between an acronym and an initialism?

Both acronyms and initialisms are made up of the first letter or letters of the words in a phrase. The word acronym typically applies when the resulting thing can be read as a word; for example, radar comes from "radio detection and ranging" and scuba comes from "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus." The word initialism only applies when the resulting thing is read as an abbreviation; for example DIY, which comes from "do it yourself," is pronounced by saying the names of the letters. Note that the word acronym is also sometimes used to mean "initialism."

What is the difference between an acronym and an abbreviation?

An acronym is a kind of abbreviation. Abbreviations can be shortened forms of any kind. For example, appt is an abbreviation of appointment, and ASAP is an abbreviation of as soon as possible. ASAP, however, also qualifies as an acronym because it is made up of the initial letters of the phrase it comes from: as soon as possible.

Is OK an acronym?

OK is technically an acronym. It comes from the phrase "oll korrect," a humorous alteration of "all correct."

Examples of acronym in a Sentence

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is known by the acronym “NATO.”

Recent Examples on the Web But his People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, known by the Dutch acronym VVD, still has a large lead in the polls, although pollsters say many voters may still be undecided. — Mike Corder, Star Tribune, "Coronavirus pandemic casts long shadow over Dutch elections," 13 Mar. 2021 His intent, police said, was to vandalize the stones with an acronym associated with QAnon, an extremist ideology that the FBI has deemed a domestic terrorism threat. — Washington Post, "N.J. man allegedly carved a QAnon hashtag into a centuries-old stone at ‘America’s Stonehenge’," 4 Mar. 2021 The Alternative for Germany, known by its German acronym AfD, the first far-right party to make it into Germany’s federal parliament since World War II, has become the most serious test for Germany’s postwar institutions yet. — New York Times, "Germany Places Far-Right AfD Party Under Surveillance for Extremism," 3 Mar. 2021 The cyclicals offer more near-term growth, while the acronym stocks’ promise of growth far into the future is made less valuable by higher bond yields. — James Mackintosh, WSJ, "Investors Worry the Fed’s Fast Driving Means It’ll Have to Hit the Brakes," 28 Feb. 2021 The conference, known by its acronym CPAC, is the largest and most influential annual gathering of conservative activists and leaders. — Paul Steinhauser, Fox News, "Scott Walker at CPAC says ‘America is under siege’ on campuses, in culture," 27 Feb. 2021 Another unwelcome addition to the local lexicon: ERCOT, the acronym for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. — Mark Lamster, Dallas News, "What Dallas can learn from the blizzard of ’21," 18 Feb. 2021 Neither will Critics of Dak, a group that goes by the unfortunate acronym of COD. — David Moore, Dallas News, "A volatile QB market leaves the Cowboys with two options: Sign Dak Prescott soon or move on," 26 Jan. 2021 Anybody in recovery could tell you that, for dealing with negative emotions, food or alcohol or drug addiction, there is a familiar and handy acronym known as HALT. — New York Times, "Men’s Wear Has an Emo Moment," 25 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acronym.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.