1
a(1)
: the original words and form of a written or printed work
(2)
: an edited or emended copy of an original work
b
: a work containing such text
2
a
: the main body of printed or written matter on a page
b
: the principal part of a book exclusive of front and back matter
c
: the printed score of a musical composition
3
a(1)
: a verse or passage of Scripture chosen especially for the subject of a sermon or for authoritative support (as for a doctrine)
(2)
: a passage from an authoritative source providing an introduction or basis (as for a speech)
b
: a source of information or authority
5
a
: the words of something (such as a poem) set to music
b
: matter chiefly in the form of words or symbols that is treated as data for processing by computerized equipment
text-editing software
6
: a type suitable for printing running text
7
: textbook
8
a
: something (such as a story or movie) considered as an object to be examined, explicated, or deconstructed
b
: something likened to a text
the surfaces of daily life are texts to be explicated—
Michiko Kakutani
Michiko Kakutani9
: frame of reference sense 2
updated to fit the women's lib text for consciousness raising—Judith Crist
Judith Crist10
: text message
sent a text with the details
texted
ˈtek-stəd 
nonstandard ˈtekst
; texting
: to send a text message from one cell phone to another
: to communicate by text messaging
texter
noun
Synonyms
Examples of text in a Sentence
Noun
A good critic will refer back to the text often.
You can find the full text of his speech on his website.
the text of the Constitution
The book is mostly photographs—it has very little text.
At this point the website is only text. Graphics will be added later.
Students will read and discuss various literary texts.
Verb
I texted her a little while ago.
I texted a message to her.
She just texted me back.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
On grants and loans, the decision text states that a reasonable amount will be fixed in grants to developing countries, with significant progression in the provision.
—Simi Thambi, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts can call or text the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or 800-273-8255 any time day or night, or chatonline athttps://988lifeline.org/chat/.
—Madeline Mitchell, The Enquirer, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for text 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Texas weather watches and warnings Stay informed: Get weather alerts via text
Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city
When is the Atlantic hurricane season?
Hurricane season is June 1 through Nov. 30.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
On grants and loans, the decision text states that a reasonable amount will be fixed in grants to developing countries, with significant progression in the provision.
—Simi Thambi, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts can call or text the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or 800-273-8255 any time day or night, or chatonline athttps://988lifeline.org/chat/.
—Madeline Mitchell, The Enquirer, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for text
Dictionary Entries Near text
Cite this Entry
“Text.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/text. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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