lexicography

noun

lex·​i·​cog·​ra·​phy ˌlek-sə-ˈkä-grə-fē 

1

: the editing or making of a dictionary

2

: the principles and practices of dictionary making

lexicographical

ˌlek-si-kō-ˈgra-fi-kəl 

adjective

or lexicographic

ˌlek-si-kō-ˈgra-fik 

lexicographically

ˌlek-si-kō-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of lexicography in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first tool is lexicography, the academic study of creating dictionaries. — Phillip M. Carter, The Conversation, 28 May 2026

So, no, dictionaries of other languages haven’t had a significant influence on my relationship with the lexicography—or the history—of English. — Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025

Other big names in American lexicography were already receding. — Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025

Properly probing a single, subtle element of grammar, like the use of tone or the way clauses are chained together, can be a serious accomplishment, not to mention the unsung arts of lexicography, transcription and archiving. — Ross Perlin, The Dial, 14 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lexicography

• bibliography
• choreography
• chromatography
• crystallography
• hagiography
• iconography
• metallography
• myelography
• oceanography
• physiography
• plethysmography
• polarography

Kids Definition

lexicography

noun

lex·​i·​cog·​ra·​phy ˌlek-sə-ˈkäg-rə-fē 

: the editing or making of a dictionary

lexicographical

-kō-ˈgraf-i-kəl 

adjective

or lexicographic

-ˈgraf-ik