1
: an important-sounding usually technical word or phrase often of little meaning used chiefly to impress laymen
2
: a voguish word or phrase

called also buzz phrase

Examples of buzzword in a Sentence

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.
For the past few years, the fashion buzzword du jour has been craft. — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026 An aggressive overhaul isn’t the goal this winter, and there will be no fancy buzzwords. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026 The male loneliness epidemic has become something of a buzzword, though research shows that loneliness is about equal across genders, and concentrated among younger people. — Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026 The state’s top election official went on to attack the referendum campaign using a series of buzzwords that he’s repeatedly deployed throughout Missouri’s redistricting fight. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for buzzword

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of buzzword was in 1946

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Buzzword.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buzzword. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster