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 of lexicon

• 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

Where shows like The Office and New Girl are endlessly quoted and have given birth to high-profile rewatch podcasts hosted by famous cast members, Malcolm in the Middle hasn’t added any catchphrases to the cultural lexicon, and its only active rewatch podcast is relatively obscure. —Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026

Since then, the term has become so much a part of the lexicon that there are folks who try to quantify it. —Fatma Tanis, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026

This evolution expanded to the mind-body connection at places like the Esalen Institute and through the Western yoga boom, integrating mindfulness into the fitness lexicon. —Markos Kounalakis, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026

This one is locked in the lexicon. —Jayson Stark, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2026

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