glossary

noun

glos·​sa·​ry ˈglä-sə-rē 

ˈglȯ-

plural glossaries

: a collection of textual glosses or of specialized terms with their meanings

glossarial

glä-ˈser-ē-əl 

glȯ-

adjective

Examples of glossary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If your product requires customers to understand complex terminology, for example, consider adding a glossary or a series of FAQs to help your audience learn more about the technology powering your product. —Jessica Wong, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024

The Ministry of Education has commissioned glossaries of scientific terms in 10 languages without them. —Byvaishnavi Chandrashekhar, science.org, 5 Sep. 2024

This is aided by an index and glossary that’s much clearer to use when looking up rules terms and character abilities. —Rob Wieland, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024

That process, that ethos, is rife in every page of this book—even the glossary has orderly instructions!—written with his characteristic unstinting affection and admiration for the work, for the people who do the work, and for a life spent in the kitchen. —Gabrielle Hamilton, Bon Appétit, 8 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English glosarie, borrowed from Medieval Latin glōsārium, glōssārium, from glōsa, glōssa gloss entry 3 + Latin -ārium -ary entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

glossary

noun

glos·​sa·​ry ˈgläs-(ə-)rē 

ˈglȯs-

plural glossaries

1

: a list of the hard or unusual words found in a book

2

: a dictionary of the special terms in a particular field