glossary

noun

plural glossaries
Synonyms of glossary
: a collection of textual glosses or of specialized terms with their meanings

Examples of glossary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There’s a brief history of butter; a guide on how to make your own; a glossary on types; a case for butter sculpting as a new hobby. The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026 Benoit delights in language as much as her heroine, weaving Regency-era slang throughout and appending a chapter-by-chapter glossary of vulgarities. Angelina Mazza, Vulture, 19 June 2026 See The Athletic’s fantasy baseball glossary. Derek Vanriper, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026 Her earlier glossary here becomes an appendix of classifications. Literary Hub, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for glossary

Word History

Etymology

Middle English glosarie, borrowed from Medieval Latin glōsārium, glōssārium, from glōsa, glōssa gloss entry 3 + Latin -ārium -ary entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glossary was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glossary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glossary. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

glossary

noun
plural glossaries
1
: a list of the hard or unusual words found in a book
2
: a dictionary of the special terms in a particular field
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