stenography

noun

ste·​nog·​ra·​phy stə-ˈnä-grə-fē How to pronounce stenography (audio)
Synonyms of stenographynext
1
: the art or process of writing in shorthand
2
: shorthand especially written from dictation or oral discourse
3
: the making of shorthand notes and subsequent transcription of them
stenographic
ˌste-nə-ˈgra-fik How to pronounce stenography (audio)
adjective
stenographically
ˌste-nə-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce stenography (audio)
adverb

Examples of stenography in a Sentence

Secretaries must be able to do stenography.
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.
Anyone could learn to use the machine in two weeks or less, compared to months or years to master stenography. — IEEE Spectrum, 6 Jan. 2026 His mother, Dorothy (Siegel) Gitlin, taught typing and stenography. — New York Times, 5 Feb. 2022 During this seeming golden age, the leading news organizations adjusted their fundamental relationship to government, shifting from a kind of elevated stenography to the critical journalism that has become the norm. — Jacob Weisberg, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019 Over 25 months, the cost of professional services/fees for the Carolina Blue matter topped $500,000, according to documents obtained by The Athletic. Invoices in the Carolina Blue matter listed an additional $120,000 for court reporting, which is generally a reference to stenography services. — Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stenography

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stenography was in 1602

Browse Nearby Words

stenographic
stenography
stenohaline
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

stenography

noun
ste·​nog·​ra·​phy stə-ˈnäg-rə-fē How to pronounce stenography (audio)
: the art or process of writing in shorthand
stenographic
ˌsten-ə-ˈgraf-ik How to pronounce stenography (audio)
adjective
stenographically
-ˈgraf-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce stenography (audio)
adverb
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