1
a
: the earthly state of human existence
b
: life after death
—used with a qualifier
the next world
2
: the earth with its inhabitants and all things upon it
3
: individual course of life : career
4
: the inhabitants of the earth : the human race
5
a
: the concerns of the earth and its affairs as distinguished from heaven and the life to come
b
: secular affairs
6
: the system of created things : universe
7
a
: a division or generation of the inhabitants of the earth distinguished by living together at the same place or at the same time
the medieval world
b
: a distinctive class of persons or their sphere of interest or activity
the academic world
the digital world
8
: human society
withdraw from the world
9
: a part or section of the earth that is a separate independent unit
10
: the sphere or scene of one's life and action
living in your own little world
11
: an indefinite multitude or a great quantity or distance
makes a world of difference
a world away
12
: the whole body of living persons : public
announced their discovery to the world
13
: kingdom sense 4
the animal world
14
: a celestial body (such as a planet)
1
: of or relating to the world
a world championship
2
a
: extending or found throughout the world : worldwide
brought about world peace
b
: involving or applying to part of or the whole world
a world tour
a world state
c
: internationally recognized : renowned, distinguished
a world authority on gemstones
Synonyms
Examples of world in a Sentence
Noun
the countries of the world
He is famous throughout the world.
They sailed around the world.
It can be found anywhere in the world.
The product is shipped halfway around the world.
The problem occurs in many parts of the world.
The island was cut off from the rest of the world.
They want to see the world.
the Eastern and Western worlds
people living in the English-speaking world
Adjective
She broke the world record.
They won the world championship.
a world authority on gemstones
Recent Examples on the Web
Ryan Bradley MacLeod Andrews Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
That statement reminded me how my world, and our world, has changed, both dramatically and subtly.
—Denise Snodell, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
An attempt to understand today’s world by studying periods of revolution from the past.
—Becky Meloan, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
The hotel, inspired by Fox's world travels and featuring five restaurants, opened in December 2023 after nearly a decade in development.
—The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Henry and Calvin are some of the most amazing humans this world will ever know.
—Emilee Coblentz, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
An international jury composed of top figures from the film and immersive art worlds will present the award at a special separate closing ceremony.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
The section will be a competition one, with an international jury of experts from the film and immersive art worlds awarding a prize for the Best Immersive Work.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
Delivering what golf world wants The Masters brings together the world’s best players for one of the few times since the PGA Tour/LIV schism, and tournament officials provided what the golf world wanted with the pairings.
—Bob Spear, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2024
Joshunda Sanders, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Feb. 2023
At the Boulevard Riyadh, the quasi-world fair, women in black niqabs joined more colorfully attired attendees in enjoying music acts that would have been deemed impossibly risque a few years ago.
—Nabih Bulosstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2022
Most Africans who adhere non-world religions are shifting to Islam or Christianity.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2010
Drama ensues, and so does a multi-year, cross-world tale of loving your family.
—Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 26 Apr. 2022
The new numbers are just the latest evidence that this is the world American workers are living in right now.
—New York Times, 3 Dec. 2021
At one point, Borgov offers Beth a draw, which would leave her co-world champion.
—Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 26 Oct. 2020
The former two-time United States Olympian and multi-world record holder was going to make sure his student-athletes stayed safe while addressing their physical and mental needs.
—Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, 17 Sep. 2020
The goal was to turn mainland Chinese citizens and world public opinion against the movement.
—Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 June 2020
Noun
What is most noticeable, listening to their collaborations, is that the essential Khruangbin-ness of their sound is impossible to dispel — even their more famous collaborators get gathered into the band’s sonic world.
—Ryan Bradley MacLeod Andrews Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
That statement reminded me how my world, and our world, has changed, both dramatically and subtly.
—Denise Snodell, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
An attempt to understand today’s world by studying periods of revolution from the past.
—Becky Meloan, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
The hotel, inspired by Fox's world travels and featuring five restaurants, opened in December 2023 after nearly a decade in development.
—The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Henry and Calvin are some of the most amazing humans this world will ever know.
—Emilee Coblentz, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
An international jury composed of top figures from the film and immersive art worlds will present the award at a special separate closing ceremony.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
The section will be a competition one, with an international jury of experts from the film and immersive art worlds awarding a prize for the Best Immersive Work.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
Delivering what golf world wants The Masters brings together the world’s best players for one of the few times since the PGA Tour/LIV schism, and tournament officials provided what the golf world wanted with the pairings.
—Bob Spear, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Some anti-world entity swooped in, lifting me from one body and dropping me into another.
—Joshunda Sanders, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Feb. 2023
At the Boulevard Riyadh, the quasi-world fair, women in black niqabs joined more colorfully attired attendees in enjoying music acts that would have been deemed impossibly risque a few years ago.
—Nabih Bulosstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2022
Most Africans who adhere non-world religions are shifting to Islam or Christianity.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2010
Drama ensues, and so does a multi-year, cross-world tale of loving your family.
—Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 26 Apr. 2022
The new numbers are just the latest evidence that this is the world American workers are living in right now.
—New York Times, 3 Dec. 2021
At one point, Borgov offers Beth a draw, which would leave her co-world champion.
—Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 26 Oct. 2020
The former two-time United States Olympian and multi-world record holder was going to make sure his student-athletes stayed safe while addressing their physical and mental needs.
—Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, 17 Sep. 2020
The goal was to turn mainland Chinese citizens and world public opinion against the movement.
—Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 June 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'world.' 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 Old English woruld human existence, this world, age (akin to Old High German weralt age, world); akin to Old English wer man, eald old — more at virile, old
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of world was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing world
Dictionary Entries Near world
Cite this Entry
“World.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/world. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
world
nounˈwər(-ə)ld
1
: the earth and all the people and things upon it
2
: people in general : humanity
3
: the system of created things : universe
4
: the concerns of the earth and human affairs as distinguished from heaven and the life to come
5
: human society
withdraw from the world
6
: a class of persons sharing a common interest or activity
the musical world
7
: a part or section of the earth and the people who live in it
8
: the scene of one's life and action
living in your own little world
9
: a great number or amount
a world of troubles
10
: a heavenly body (as a planet) especially if lived upon
More from Merriam-Webster on world
Nglish: Translation of world for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of world for Arabic Speakers
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