# lexicon

/ˈɫɛksɪˌkɑn/ (US) · /lˈɛksɪkən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lexicon
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

the set of all the words used in a particular language or by a specific group of people. It is like a mental dictionary that contains every word you know.

For teachers: the vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge. In linguistics, it refers to the complete set of meaningful units in a language.

## Examples

- Computer programming has its own unique lexicon.
- The doctor used medical terms that were not part of my everyday lexicon.
- As digital communication evolves, new emojis and abbreviations are rapidly integrated into the global lexicon, often bypassing traditional linguistic gatekeepers.

## Usage notes

- Often used in academic contexts to discuss the specialized vocabulary of a field.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.