acronym

Meanings

Noun

• An abbreviation formed by the initial letters of other words, sometimes exclusively such abbreviations when pronounced as a word (as "laser") rather than as individual letters (initialisms such as "TNT").
• An abbreviation formed by the beginning letters or syllables of other words (as "Benelux").

Verb

• To form into an acronym.

Related

Similar words

• initialism

Broader meaning words

• abbreviation

Origin

• Borrowed from German Akronym, from Ancient Greek ἄκρον ("end, peak") and ὄνυμα, equivalent to acro- + -onym. and in English in 1940.