dialect

noun

ˈdī-ə-ˌlekt How to pronounce dialect (audio)
Definition of dialectnext
as in terminology
the special terms or expressions of a particular group or field the promotional team for the new computer used a dialect full of acronyms that the press found difficult to follow

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of dialect That leaves countless other languages and dialects, even those spoken by tens of millions of people, by the wayside. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 With so many speakers in different places, Spanish has developed ten different main dialects. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 Others argued that the characters should be speaking with Greek accents or even in an ancient Greek dialect to honor the source material’s roots in Greek mythology. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026 But after Carter reset the unit later that year by bringing in new leaders who were native speakers of both the tech world’s dialect and the language of warfighting, the organization succeeded in building a bridge between the two communities. — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dialect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dialect
  1. terminology
  2. language
  3. vocabulary
  4. slang
Noun
  • When officials disagree, even if legitimate based on terminology, the general public can interpret that disagreement as evidence that officials do not have a solid understanding of the outbreak.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But there’s an interesting conundrum that arises from the terminology itself.
    — Jennifer Donnelly, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of terminology
Noun
  • From a consideration of apoptosis—the orderly elimination of damaged or unnecessary cells—Solé moves on to failing machines, eroded memories, vanished languages, brittle digital archives, and more.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • High-needs students — defined as those receiving free or reduced price meals, English language learners and students with disabilities — also performed about 10 points below the overall student body in each category.
    — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • Kitchen grandmacore could show up in that vocabulary within a year.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Lowenstein told me that the evolving maps have drained the meaning from those Obama-era debates about the viability of a Palestinian state, forcing a revision of the vocabulary that American politicians use to talk about the conflict.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of vocabulary
Noun
  • Young artists like the members of the Chilean boy band Q_ARE are fusing these elements with Latin music styles, Spanish and English lyrics and Chilean slang to pioneer a uniquely Latino pop subgenre.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The latest slang to capture the Gen Z zeitgeist is a way to say poser, try-hard or fraud.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of slang

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dialect
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Cite this Entry

“Dialect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dialect. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dialect

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dialect

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