Merriam-Webster and Unstructured Data Processing
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DictionariesLanguageData Organization
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Dictionaries
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Data Organization
The discussion revolves around Merriam-Webster's dictionary organization, specifically how words with multiple definitions are ordered, and the differences between various types of dictionaries.
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Nov 14, 2025 at 4:30 AM EST
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It depends on the type of dictionary. Merriam-Webster Unabridged (and most unabridged and historical dictionaries; you can tell a historical dictionary by the citations/quotations) do it chronologically. Merriam-Webster Collegiate (and most daily use mainstream dictionaries) sort senses (meanings) by likelihood of use frequency, or importance. As you can see, saying "Merriam-Webster" and meaning one dictionary is incorrect, as they produce more than one dictionary. Source: am lexicographer, have worked with Kory Stamper.