text

1 of 2

noun

ˈtekst 

1

a(1)

: the original words and form of a written or printed work

(2)

: an edited or emended copy of an original work

b

: a work containing such text

2

a

: the main body of printed or written matter on a page

b

: the principal part of a book exclusive of front and back matter

c

: the printed score of a musical composition

3

a(1)

: a verse or passage of Scripture chosen especially for the subject of a sermon or for authoritative support (as for a doctrine)

(2)

: a passage from an authoritative source providing an introduction or basis (as for a speech)

b

: a source of information or authority

4

: theme, topic

5

a

: the words of something (such as a poem) set to music

b

: matter chiefly in the form of words or symbols that is treated as data for processing by computerized equipment

text-editing software

6

: a type suitable for printing running text

7

: textbook

8

a

: something (such as a story or movie) considered as an object to be examined, explicated, or deconstructed

b

: something likened to a text

the surfaces of daily life are texts to be explicated

—Michiko Kakutani

9

: frame of reference sense 2

updated to fit the women's lib text for consciousness raising

—Judith Crist

10

: text message

sent a text with the details

text

2 of 2

verb

texted ˈtek-stəd 

 nonstandard  ˈtekst

; texting

transitive verb

: to send a text message from one cell phone to another

intransitive verb

: to communicate by text messaging

texter noun

Synonyms

Noun

• handbook
• manual
• primer
• textbook

Examples of text in a Sentence

Noun

A good critic will refer back to the text often.

You can find the full text of his speech on his website.

the text of the Constitution

The book is mostly photographs—it has very little text.

At this point the website is only text. Graphics will be added later.

Students will read and discuss various literary texts.

Verb

I texted her a little while ago.

I texted a message to her.

She just texted me back.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There may be some differences between the audio and the text. —Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

When Simpson died on April 10 at age 76, Murphy was inundated with texts — three decades later, the phenomenon of the trial and its ripple effects still loom large in the entertainment industry. —Elahe Izadi, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2024

Why not suggest that the 9-year-olds have a flip phone that only has the ability to make phone calls and text? —Michaeleen Doucleff, NPR, 14 Apr. 2024

The Pin can do texts and calls, take notes, and capture video and photos through its 12 MP camera. —Kyle Barr, Quartz, 13 Apr. 2024

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024

Angelina Jolie has a ton of tattoos, including the coordinates where her children were born and snippets of meaningful text, and her collection continues to expand. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Apr. 2024

Some colorways, like this iris option, are customizable using an image, text, monogram or graphic. $45 Stanley Shop Now 5% off Amazon Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones These Apple active noise-canceling headphones are great for long study sessions at school. —Claire Peltier, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024

The agency advises residents to enroll their contact information, including cell phone numbers, text and email addresses. —The Enquirer, 2 Apr. 2024

Verb

Some significant fraction of Americans will always refuse vaccines and continue to text and drive. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2024

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522. —Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Apr. 2024

While its iMessage service is sheathed from prying eyes by end-to-end encryption, that protection evaporates the moment someone texts a non-Apple device. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2024

Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available. —Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024

Anyone with information on Brown's death or the apartment shooting police have not released a motive for should call police at 202-727-9099 or text a tip to 50411. —Pilar Arias, Fox News, 2 Apr. 2024

The exclusive offer is for Royal Perk members who text ECLIPSE to 251251. —Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024

Indiana 211: Call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. —Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Apr. 2024

Burger King loyalty program members who text ECLIPSE to 251251 from April 8 through April 15 a buy-one-get-one-free Whopper deal on the burger chain's app or online. —Kate Gibson, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French tiste, texte, from Medieval Latin textus, from Latin, texture, context, from texere to weave — more at technical

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1998, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing text

• alt text
• text messaging
• text message
• text edition
• set book/text

Kids Definition

text

1 of 2 noun

ˈtekst

1

: the original words of a work of literature

2

a

: the main body of printed or written matter on a page

b

: the main part of a book

3

a

: a passage from the Bible chosen for the subject of a sermon

b

: a subject on which one writes or speaks

4

: matter handled with a computer that is chiefly in the form of words

5

: textbook

6

: text message

text

2 of 2 verb

1

: to send a text message from one cell phone to another

2

: to communicate by text messaging