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Definition of dictionary

dictionary

/ˈdɪk.ʃə.nɛr.i/
dic · tion · ar · y

Plural:dictionaries
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dictionary Lexical Profile

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• noun

1

A reference resource, either in print or electronic form, that lists the words of a language (typically in alphabetical order) and provides their meanings, pronunciations, etymologies, and usage examples.

Example

"She kept a pocket dictionary on her desk to look up unfamiliar words while reading classic literature."


2

A reference work on a specific subject, domain, or discipline, in which items are arranged alphabetically.

Example

"The medical dictionary proved invaluable to the nursing students studying complex anatomical terms."


3

A data structure in computer programming that stores key-value pairs, allowing for efficient data retrieval, insertion, and deletion based on unique keys.

Example

"The software engineer used a dictionary in Python to map user ID numbers to their respective account profiles."

Synonyms
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• Rhymes for dictionary

Word Origin & Etymology

From Medieval Latin 'dictionarium' (a collection of words), derived from Latin 'dictio' (saying, word), which comes from 'dicere' (to say).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dictionary. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dictionary
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