acronym

noun

ac·​ro·​nym ˈa-krə-ˌnim How to pronounce acronym (audio)
: 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
acronymic adjective
acronymically adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

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 After years of billions of dollars being spent on advertising, conversion rate optimization (CRO), AB testing, customer data platforms (CDPs), CRMs and other performance marketing acronyms, today's e-commerce system is sorely in need of an overhaul. Karina Kogan, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 There are few signs that a deal could be reached by the deadline set by the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance, which uses the acronym USMX. Chris Isidore and Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, 30 Sep. 2024 The acronym soup confusion regarding the name has been exacerbated by Elizondo, who co-opted the AATIP label for his own, informal follow-on effort at the Pentagon after AAWSAP’s termination in 2012. Luis Cayetano Simmari, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024 And in 2010, the group added South Africa, completing the acronym as it is known today. Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for acronym 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'acronym.' 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

probably borrowed from German Akronym, Akronymon, from akr- acr- + -onym, -onymon -onym

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acronym was in 1940

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near acronym

Cite this Entry

“Acronym.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acronym. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

acronym

noun
ac·​ro·​nym ˈak-rə-ˌnim How to pronounce acronym (audio)
: a word (as radar) formed from the beginning letter or letters of each or most of the parts of a compound term

More from Merriam-Webster on acronym

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!