Definition of ACRONYMS (original) (raw)

: a word (such as NATO, radar, or laser) formed from the initial letter or letters of each of the successive parts or major parts of a compound term

also : an abbreviation (such as FBI) formed from initial letters : initialism

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an acronym and an initialism?

Both acronyms and initialisms are made up of the first letter or letters of the words in a phrase. The word acronym typically applies when the resulting thing can be read as a word; for example, radar comes from "_ra_dio _d_etection _a_nd _r_anging" and scuba comes from "_s_elf-_c_ontained _u_nderwater _b_reathing _a_pparatus." The word initialism only applies when the resulting thing is read as an abbreviation; for example DIY, which comes from "_d_o _i_t _y_ourself," is pronounced by saying the names of the letters. Note that the word acronym is also sometimes used to mean "initialism."

What is the difference between an acronym and an abbreviation?

An acronym is a kind of abbreviation. Abbreviations can be shortened forms of any kind. For example, appt is an abbreviation of appointment, and ASAP is an abbreviation of as soon as possible. ASAP, however, also qualifies as an acronym because it is made up of the initial letters of the phrase it comes from: _a_s _s_oon _a_s _p_ossible.

Is OK an acronym?

OK is technically an acronym. It comes from the phrase "oll korrect," a humorous alteration of "all correct."

Examples of acronym in a Sentence

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is known by the acronym “NATO.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

For Tudor Jones, the JUST 100 list and another acronym which may seem diametrically opposed to it, MAGA, have more in common than many people may initially think. —Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025 Many of the companies ending DEI programs are scrubbing the now-politically toxic acronym from their websites and corporate statements. —Maria Aspan, NPR, 3 Feb. 2025 The government agency with a five-letter acronym that’s become a four-letter word to Elon Musk is vanishing from the internet. —Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 3 Feb. 2025 The name is both a nod to company founder Arthur C. Nielsen and an acronym for Audience Rated Television Entertainment of the Year. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for acronym