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
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Recent Examples on the Web
Erin Johnson, Peoplemag, 25 Nov. 2023
Amazon Merging the physical and digital world, this clever STEM kit for kids aged 6 years and up combines physical tiles with apps on your iPad or Fire tablet.
—Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2023
The award-winning filmmaker was slated to serve as artistic godfather for Marrakech’s industry arm, which spotlights development titles and works-in-progress from dynamic new talents from across the MENA world.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 25 Nov. 2023
With that in mind, in September, Everett did something no one in the auction world had done before, curating a selling exhibition in New York dedicated to the evolution of men’s jewelry from the mid-19th century to the present day.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2023
The catastrophe of 1944 was certainly not its only eruption to coincide with portentous world events.
—Jeffrey Collins, WSJ, 24 Nov. 2023
Highlighted by the success of Boiling Point, Graham’s presence in the film world has expanded over the last few years.
—Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Nov. 2023
There is at least some evidence that the digital world is painting a bleaker picture than the statistics support.
—Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
All day every day at every hour men and women, children, wheeled
into a world that is not the world
but more so, to seam themselves to machines
from which the healing bane
drips.
—Christian Wiman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
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
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Noun
Which — in a world full of hype and #cleaningtok — says a lot.
—Erin Johnson, Peoplemag, 25 Nov. 2023
Amazon Merging the physical and digital world, this clever STEM kit for kids aged 6 years and up combines physical tiles with apps on your iPad or Fire tablet.
—Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2023
The award-winning filmmaker was slated to serve as artistic godfather for Marrakech’s industry arm, which spotlights development titles and works-in-progress from dynamic new talents from across the MENA world.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 25 Nov. 2023
With that in mind, in September, Everett did something no one in the auction world had done before, curating a selling exhibition in New York dedicated to the evolution of men’s jewelry from the mid-19th century to the present day.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2023
The catastrophe of 1944 was certainly not its only eruption to coincide with portentous world events.
—Jeffrey Collins, WSJ, 24 Nov. 2023
Highlighted by the success of Boiling Point, Graham’s presence in the film world has expanded over the last few years.
—Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Nov. 2023
There is at least some evidence that the digital world is painting a bleaker picture than the statistics support.
—Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
All day every day at every hour men and women, children, wheeled
into a world that is not the world
but more so, to seam themselves to machines
from which the healing bane
drips.
—Christian Wiman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
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
See More
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 28 Nov. 2023.
Copy Citation
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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