How Merriam-Webster Adds New Words to the Dictionary

The Process of Word Addition

• 🔍 Merriam-Webster meticulously researches and revises to incorporate new words, phrases, and senses into the dictionary.
• 📝 The core job involves scouring texts for evidence of a word's widespread use, particularly in major publications, indicating a broad intended audience.
• 📚 Editors look for linguistic cues like words in quotes, explained in parentheses, or italicized, signaling that fluent speakers are expected to know the term.

From Slang to Print: The Path to Inclusion

• 📱 Many new terms originate from texting or social media, but their inclusion depends on them being transcribed and published in print.
• 📰 Print publication in respected outlets like The New York Times or Washington Post serves as the gold standard for evidence.
• ⏳ Merriam-Webster acts as a