dialect
noun
di·a·lect
ˈdī-ə-ˌlekt 
often attributive
1
linguistics
a
: a regional variety of language distinguished by features of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation from other regional varieties and constituting together with them a single language
the Doric dialect of ancient Greek
a dialect of Chinese spoken in Hong Kong
b
: one of two or more cognate (see cognate entry 1 sense 3a) languages
French and Italian are Romance dialects.
c
: a variety of a language used by the members of a group
… such dialects as politics and advertising …—
Philip Howard
Philip Howard
d
: a variety of language whose identity is fixed by a factor other than geography (such as social class)
spoke a peasant dialect
f
: a version of a computer programming language
2
: manner or means of expressing oneself : phraseology
Examples of dialect in a Sentence
They speak a southern dialect of French.
The author uses dialect in his writing.
The play was hard to understand when the characters spoke in dialect.
Recent Examples on the Web
The event also featured a video about the three countries and fundraising for Sudan, poetry readings, a Kahoot game about the three dialects and prizes, henna and face painting, Syrian dance, a Sudanese wedding reenactment, a fashion show and ethnic food.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Domaine des Etangs officially resides in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, though locals still call it Limousin (of the eponymous dialect, and Limousin cattle).
—Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
McDermid’s prose is sprinkled throughout with dialect such as neep for rutabaga and dooking, or ducking, for apples.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 22 Jan. 2026
Scholars say separation from the mainland caused these communities to retain much of their African heritage, including a unique dialect.
—CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dialect
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Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Domaine des Etangs officially resides in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, though locals still call it Limousin (of the eponymous dialect, and Limousin cattle).
—Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
McDermid’s prose is sprinkled throughout with dialect such as neep for rutabaga and dooking, or ducking, for apples.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 22 Jan. 2026
Scholars say separation from the mainland caused these communities to retain much of their African heritage, including a unique dialect.
—CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dialect
Cite this Entry
“Dialect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialect. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dialect
noun
di·a·lect
ˈdī-ə-ˌlekt
1
: a regional variety of a language differing from the standard language
2
: a variety of a language used by the members of a particular group or class
peasant dialect
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