Copy Citation
Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?
TAKE THE QUIZ1
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
8
a
: something (such as a story or movie) considered as an object to be examined, explicated, or deconstructed
texted
ˈtek-stəd 
nonstandard ˈtekst
; texting
: to send a text message from one cell phone to another
: to communicate by text messaging
texter
noun
Synonyms
Example Sentences
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Jan. 2023
United Furniture Industries, a furniture store in Mississippi, laid off 2,700 workers last year via text messages days before Thanksgiving.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2023
The babysitter seemed slightly weirded out by my heartfelt text messages.
—Rachel Feintzeig, WSJ, 23 Jan. 2023
In text messages, some Asian American elders refused to speculate on the motivation of the shooter, asking for prayers at temple altars instead.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2023
Phishing attempts, such as text messages or emails appear to be from Cash App, yet containing links to fake websites.
—Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 21 Jan. 2023
As the plane strugged to stay in the air, Chafetz sent text messages to family, expressing love and asking for their prayers, according to CNN affiliate WEWS in Ohio.
—Kristina Sgueglia, CNN, 21 Jan. 2023
Margot initiates the flirtation at the concession stand, semi-stalks him from the back of the theater and skips past the games of hard to get, trading hundreds of text messages, which multiply across the screen like bacteria in a petri dish.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
From 2019 to most of 2022, attackers lured targets to malicious sites that were sent through text messages, a technique known as smishing.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 20 Jan. 2023
Dallas News, 15 Jan. 2023
Later in the interview, Cameron addressed moviegoers who text during films at the theater.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 10 Jan. 2023
Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts can call or text the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or 800-273-8255 any time day or night, or chat online at https://988lifeline.org/chat/.
—Jeanne Houck, The Enquirer, 5 Jan. 2023
On your next date, don’t speak, just text each other across the dinner table.
—Meredith Goldstein, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Jan. 2023
When she was first detained, Griner could text using WhatsApp but not talk on the phone.
—Bill Oram, oregonlive, 24 Dec. 2022
Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use the online Lifeline Chat.
—William R. Hoffman, Scientific American, 22 Nov. 2022
People can also anonymously text a tip by visiting the MCS of Maryland website.
—Lilly Price, Baltimore Sun, 25 Dec. 2022
Put your best convo-starters to work and text your crush about their weekend plans.
—Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, 12 Dec. 2022
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Noun
In private phone calls, text messages, Zoom chats and in-person meetings, lawmakers tried to sway one another to dozens of prospective and competing House majorities.
—James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Jan. 2023
United Furniture Industries, a furniture store in Mississippi, laid off 2,700 workers last year via text messages days before Thanksgiving.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2023
The babysitter seemed slightly weirded out by my heartfelt text messages.
—Rachel Feintzeig, WSJ, 23 Jan. 2023
In text messages, some Asian American elders refused to speculate on the motivation of the shooter, asking for prayers at temple altars instead.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2023
Phishing attempts, such as text messages or emails appear to be from Cash App, yet containing links to fake websites.
—Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 21 Jan. 2023
As the plane strugged to stay in the air, Chafetz sent text messages to family, expressing love and asking for their prayers, according to CNN affiliate WEWS in Ohio.
—Kristina Sgueglia, CNN, 21 Jan. 2023
Margot initiates the flirtation at the concession stand, semi-stalks him from the back of the theater and skips past the games of hard to get, trading hundreds of text messages, which multiply across the screen like bacteria in a petri dish.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
From 2019 to most of 2022, attackers lured targets to malicious sites that were sent through text messages, a technique known as smishing.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 20 Jan. 2023
Verb
Anyone with information about Kelley’s disappearance is asked to call the Collin County Sheriff’s Office at 972-547-5100, or to text information to 847411.
—Dallas News, 15 Jan. 2023
Later in the interview, Cameron addressed moviegoers who text during films at the theater.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 10 Jan. 2023
Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts can call or text the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or 800-273-8255 any time day or night, or chat online at https://988lifeline.org/chat/.
—Jeanne Houck, The Enquirer, 5 Jan. 2023
On your next date, don’t speak, just text each other across the dinner table.
—Meredith Goldstein, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Jan. 2023
When she was first detained, Griner could text using WhatsApp but not talk on the phone.
—Bill Oram, oregonlive, 24 Dec. 2022
Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use the online Lifeline Chat.
—William R. Hoffman, Scientific American, 22 Nov. 2022
People can also anonymously text a tip by visiting the MCS of Maryland website.
—Lilly Price, Baltimore Sun, 25 Dec. 2022
Put your best convo-starters to work and text your crush about their weekend plans.
—Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, 12 Dec. 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'text.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Phrases Containing text
Dictionary Entries Near text
Cite this Entry
“Text.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/text. Accessed 30 Jan. 2023.
More from Merriam-Webster on text
Nglish: Translation of text for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of text for Arabic Speakers
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