text

1 of 2

noun

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
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
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 explicatedMichiko Kakutani
9
: frame of reference sense 2
updated to fit the women's lib text for consciousness raisingJudith Crist
10
: text message
sent a text with the details

text

2 of 2

verb

texted ˈtek-stəd How to pronounce text (audio)
 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

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
Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2024 Ken White, a First Amendment litigator at the law firm Brown White & Osborn, said courts can and do look at whether the functional effect of a law is to stifle speech, not just what the text of the law says. Brian Fung, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 These scams can come via phone, text, email and social media. Adriana Morga, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024 Egyptian mummies from around 2400 B.C.E. show deformities similar to TB and ancient texts from China and India may refer to it, according to research. Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024 The song was released in 2017 and sports a trend of people showing off relationship texts while the song’s chorus plays. Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 7 Mar. 2024 The prosecution has argued the texts show the son was hallucinating and mentally struggling, though the mom testified that no such thing was happening. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 7 Mar. 2024 Rowland added that the moment doesn't even make sense in the video's narrative, in which her character grows frustrated that Nelly doesn't immediately respond to her text. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 7 Mar. 2024 Soon, a friend answered the girl’s text and sent her mother to go pick her up. Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
Verb
Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available. Ray Chavez, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text it to a friend. Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024 His immediate goals are to be able to control his Alexa and turn on Netflix, as well as to learn how to text. Catherine Thorbecke, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024 But the shooter’s friend did not text him back or tell Jennifer Crumbley about them; Smith also said there is no evidence Jennifer Crumbley ever saw the messages. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 3 Feb. 2024 Guests can text for the usual requests, such as requesting extra toiletries, scheduling housekeeping, ordering room service, or asking about local activities and tours. Byrachel King, Fortune, 25 Feb. 2024 One West Virginia county encouraged residents to text 911 as a last resort. Kendra Nichols, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024 Apple says all iPhone models 14 or later can also use Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services when no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage is available. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 Users of those phones can text emergency services via satellite while off-grid with no cellular or WiFi coverage. Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'text.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of text was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near text

Cite this Entry

“Text.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/text. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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
6

text

2 of 2 verb
1
: to send a text message from one cell phone to another
2
: to communicate by text messaging

More from Merriam-Webster on text

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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