w

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈdə-bəl-(ˌ)yü How to pronounce w (audio) ˈdə-bə- How to pronounce w (audio)
ˈdəb-(ˌ)yü,
-yə;
ˈdəb-yē
plural w's or ws ˈdə-bəl-(ˌ)yüz How to pronounce w (audio)
ˈdə-bə-;
ˈdəb-(ˌ)yüz,
-yəz;
ˈdəb-yēz
often capitalized, often attributive
1
a
: the 23rd letter of the English alphabet
b
: a graphic representation of this letter
c
: a speech counterpart of orthographic w
2
: a graphic device for reproducing the letter w
3
: one designated w especially as the 23rd in order or class
4
: something shaped like the letter W

w

2 of 5

abbreviation (1)

1
water
2
week
3
weight
4
west; western
5
white
6
wicket
7
wide; width
8
wife
9
with

W

3 of 5

noun (2)

ˈdə-bəl-(ˌ)yü How to pronounce W (audio) ˈdə-bə- How to pronounce W (audio)
ˈdəb-(ˌ)yü,
-yə;
ˈdəb-yē

W

4 of 5

abbreviation (2)

watt

W

5 of 5

symbol

tungsten

Example Sentences

Noun (1) a word that starts with a w a word that starts with w Abbreviation (1) The area of a rectangle is L x W.

Word History

Etymology

Symbol

German Wolfram

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of w was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near w

Cite this Entry

“W.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/w. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

Kids Definition

w

noun
ˈdəb-əl-(ˌ)yü,
-yə,
ˈdəb(-ə)-yə
often capitalized
: the 23rd letter of the English alphabet

Medical Definition

W

symbol
tungsten

History and Etymology for w

German wolfram

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