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Definition of merton

merton

/ˈmɜːrtən/
Mer · ton
Plural:Mertons
•
Adjective:Mertonian
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merton Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A surname of English origin, originally a habitational name for someone from any of the various places named Merton in England.

Example

"The renowned sociologist Robert K. Merton made significant contributions to the study of unintended consequences."

2

British A borough in southwest London, England, formed in 1965 and internationally known as the home of the Wimbledon tennis championships.

3

British A historic constituent college of the University of Oxford in England, founded in the 1260s.

Example

"He completed his doctoral studies in medieval history at Merton."

Word Nuance & Usage

Always capitalized as 'Merton' in standard usage, as it functions exclusively as a proper noun referring to geographical locations, institutions, or a surname.

• Rhymes for merton

• Nearby Words

merrymaking
mersey
mertensia
merton
merton falls
meru
merveilleux

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from Old English 'mere' (meaning pool or lake) and 'tūn' (meaning enclosure, farmstead, or settlement), literally translating to 'settlement by the lake'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Merton. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/merton
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