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: any of several linguistic forms analogous to the Latin gerund in languages other than Latin
especially
: the English verbal noun ending in -ing that has the function of a substantive and at the same time shows the verbal features of tense, voice, and capacity to take adverbial qualifiers and to govern (see govern sense 4) objects
Example Sentences
In the sentence “Learning can be fun,” “learning” is a gerund.
Word History
Etymology
Late Latin gerundium, from Latin gerundus, gerundive of gerere to bear, carry on
First Known Use
1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near gerund
Cite this Entry
“Gerund.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gerund. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.
Kids Definition
gerund
noun
ger·und
ˈjer-ənd 
: an English noun formed from a verb by the addition of -ing that is capable of being modified by adverbs and taking an object
More from Merriam-Webster on gerund
Nglish: Translation of gerund for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of gerund for Arabic Speakers
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