lexicon

noun

lex·​i·​con ˈlek-sə-ˌkän 

 also  -kən

plural lexica ˈlek-sə-kə  or lexicons

1

: a book containing an alphabetical arrangement of the words in a language and their definitions : dictionary

a French lexicon

2

a

: the vocabulary of a language, an individual speaker or group of speakers, or a subject

computer terms that have been added to the lexicon

b

: the total stock of morphemes in a language

3

: repertoire, inventory

added the DVD to his video lexicon

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Tips on Using Lexicon in a Sentence

The word lexicon has a number of closely-related meanings, which can easily lead to confusion and may cause the word to be used in an awkward way. Lexicon can refer to a general dictionary of a language (as in "a lexicon of the Hebrew language") and also to a narrower printed compilation of words within some sphere (as in "a medical lexicon" or "a lexicon of the German in Finnegans Wake").

Similarly, lexicon can refer both to the vocabulary of a specific group of people ("the lexicon of French") or to the general language used by an unspecified group of people ("a word that has not entered the general lexicon yet"). It may also often be found in reference to the vocabulary employed by a particular speaker ("'Failure' is not a word in my lexicon").

Synonyms

• dictionary

Examples of lexicon in a Sentence

a computer term that has entered the general lexicon

an avid word enthusiast who is compiling a lexicon of archaic and unusual words

Recent Examples on the Web

The elevated mini dress is a chill, one-and-done staple for the summer, with more than one way to go about it to fit it into your own personal style lexicon: think elegant shift dresses, easy linens, lacy slips, and more sporty numbers. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 20 July 2025

Its culinary impact is just as notable: The metro Detroit region is the birthplace of multinational chains, such as Domino’s, Little Caesars, and Jet’s Pizza, which have brought Detroit into the global pizza lexicon. —Lyndsay C. Green, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 July 2025

Her name re-enters the tennis lexicon at times like these, like a dreaded ghost from that 1988 French Open final, when Steffi Graf did to her what Świątek did to Anisimova. —Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 12 July 2025

He’s credited with adding roughly 1,700 words to the English-language lexicon. —Sam Kelly july 8, Literary Hub, 8 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Greek lexikon, from neuter of lexikos of words, from Greek lexis word, speech, from legein to say — more at legend

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lexicon

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• chitosan
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon

Kids Definition

lexicon

noun

lex·​i·​con ˈlek-sə-ˌkän 

-si-kən

: dictionary sense 1