1
a
: the earthly state of human existence
b
: life after death
—used with a qualifier
the next world
2
: the earth with its inhabitants and all things upon it
3
: individual course of life : career
4
: the inhabitants of the earth : the human race
5
a
: the concerns of the earth and its affairs as distinguished from heaven and the life to come
b
: secular affairs
6
: the system of created things : universe
7
a
: a division or generation of the inhabitants of the earth distinguished by living together at the same place or at the same time
the medieval world
b
: a distinctive class of persons or their sphere of interest or activity
the academic world
the digital world
8
: human society
withdraw from the world
9
: a part or section of the earth that is a separate independent unit
10
: the sphere or scene of one's life and action
living in your own little world
11
: an indefinite multitude or a great quantity or distance
makes a world of difference
a world away
12
: the whole body of living persons : public
announced their discovery to the world
13
: kingdom sense 4
the animal world
14
: a celestial body (such as a planet)
1
: of or relating to the world
a world championship
2
a
: extending or found throughout the world : worldwide
brought about world peace
b
: involving or applying to part of or the whole world
a world tour
a world state
c
: internationally recognized : renowned, distinguished
a world authority on gemstones
Synonyms
Examples of world in a Sentence
Noun
the countries of the world
He is famous throughout the world.
They sailed around the world.
It can be found anywhere in the world.
The product is shipped halfway around the world.
The problem occurs in many parts of the world.
The island was cut off from the rest of the world.
They want to see the world.
the Eastern and Western worlds
people living in the English-speaking world
Adjective
She broke the world record.
They won the world championship.
a world authority on gemstones
Recent Examples on the Web
Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (Riverhead Books: $30) Two worlds collide when a teenager vanishes from her Adirondacks summer camp.
—The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Joshunda Sanders, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Feb. 2023
At the Boulevard Riyadh, the quasi-world fair, women in black niqabs joined more colorfully attired attendees in enjoying music acts that would have been deemed impossibly risque a few years ago.
—Nabih Bulosstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for world 
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Noun
In this enigmatic world, 39 women and one young girl are kept in an underground room guarded by armed men.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (Riverhead Books: $30) Two worlds collide when a teenager vanishes from her Adirondacks summer camp.
—The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Some anti-world entity swooped in, lifting me from one body and dropping me into another.
—Joshunda Sanders, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Feb. 2023
At the Boulevard Riyadh, the quasi-world fair, women in black niqabs joined more colorfully attired attendees in enjoying music acts that would have been deemed impossibly risque a few years ago.
—Nabih Bulosstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for world
Dictionary Entries Near world
Cite this Entry
“World.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/world. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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