lexicography

noun

lex·​i·​cog·​ra·​phy ˌlek-sə-ˈkä-grə-fē How to pronounce lexicography (audio)
1
: the editing or making of a dictionary
2
: the principles and practices of dictionary making
lexicographical
ˌlek-si-kō-ˈgra-fi-kəl How to pronounce lexicography (audio)
adjective
or lexicographic
ˌlek-si-kō-ˈgra-fik How to pronounce lexicography (audio)
lexicographically
ˌlek-si-kō-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce lexicography (audio)
adverb

Examples of lexicography 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.
The first tool is lexicography, the academic study of creating dictionaries. — Phillip M. Carter, The Conversation, 28 May 2026 Other big names in American lexicography were already receding. — Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025 My late friend James Sledd, a University of Texas linguist who was an expert on lexicography among other things, was politically to the left. — David Harsanyi, National Review, 14 Sep. 2023 So, no, dictionaries of other languages haven’t had a significant influence on my relationship with the lexicography—or the history—of English. — Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lexicography

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lexicography was in 1648

Rhymes for lexicography

See All Rhymes for lexicography

Browse Nearby Words

lexicographist
lexicography
lexicological
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

lexicography

noun
lex·​i·​cog·​ra·​phy ˌlek-sə-ˈkäg-rə-fē How to pronounce lexicography (audio)
: the editing or making of a dictionary
lexicographical
-kō-ˈgraf-i-kəl How to pronounce lexicography (audio)
adjective
or lexicographic
-ˈgraf-ik How to pronounce lexicography (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on lexicography

Nglish: Translation of lexicography for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lexicography

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All