Word - Definition and Overview

Word can mean one of several things:

• A linguistic word—a unit of language that symbolizes or communicates a meaning, consisting of one or more morphemes.

• Microsoft Word, a word processor produced by Microsoft as part of its Office software suite.

• In automata theory of computer science, a word is a finite string of symbols.

• In the Christian religion, the Word of God, which is the second person of the Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ. When used in this sense, "word" is a translation of the Greek logos which more broadly means reason, principle, standard, or logic.

• In computing, an integral data type that is usually equal to the size of a CPU's largest register or large enough to hold its largest addressable memory location. In the world of IBM-compatible PCs, "word" has become largely synonymous with "16-bit integer" due to the prevalence of early 16-bit x86 processors.

• In hip hop slang, an exclamation, often not spoken in exclamatory voice, indicating deep and complete agreement. This use originates from the Five Percenters' mantra that "Word is Bond"; an earlier form was word up. The use of the term "word" as a sign of agreement and solidarity has come into common use outside of hip hop circles.