dictation

noun

dic·​ta·​tion dik-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce dictation (audio)
Synonyms of dictation
1
a
: prescription
b
: arbitrary command
2
a(1)
: the act or manner of uttering words to be transcribed
(2)
: material that is dictated or transcribed
b(1)
: the performing of music to be reproduced by a student
(2)
: music so reproduced

Examples of dictation in a Sentence

He used a tape recorder for dictation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wispr faces serious competition from the biggest names in tech—Apple, Google, Microsoft, Anthropic, and OpenAI—who’ve all been chasing dictation and voice in some form. — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026 The company envisions Vox handling dictation while MouthPad handles cursor control. — Jesse Watson , Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 By default, the command enables intelligent dictation, but users can also opt into Gemini reasoning. — Bee Wertheimer, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026 Earning certification typically takes two years or more and requires about 95 percent accuracy on dictation testing, command of legal and medical terminology, and in many states a license. — K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dictation

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin dictātiōn-, dictātiō "uttering of material to be transcribed, command" (Latin, "dictated draft"), from Latin dictāre "to say repeatedly, say aloud words to be transcribed by another, issue as an order" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at dictate entry 1

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 2a(2)

Time Traveler
The first known use of dictation was in 1624

Phrases Containing dictation

Rhymes for dictation

See All Rhymes for dictation

Browse Nearby Words

dictating machine
dictation
dictative
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Cite this Entry

“Dictation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictation. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dictation

noun
dic·​ta·​tion dik-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce dictation (audio)
1
: the act or process of giving commands
2
a
: the dictating of words
write from dictation
b
: something that is dictated or is taken down from dictation

More from Merriam-Webster on dictation

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dictation

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