# How to get a word added to the dictionary - Ilan Stavans

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/ted-ed-7859430/how-to-get-a-word-added-to-the-dictionary-ilan-stavans
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/ted-ed-7859430/how-to-get-a-word-added-to-the-dictionary-ilan-stavans.md
Podcast: [TED-Ed](https://stenobird.com/podcast/ted-ed-7859430)
Published: 2026-07-22T17:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/VG7320912931.mp3
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/VG7320912931.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/ted-ed-7859430/episodes/how-to-get-a-word-added-to-the-dictionary-ilan-stavans
Duration seconds: 487

## Resource

Explore the history of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary and find out how old words get redefined and how new words are added. --While the concept of a dictionary dates back to ancient civilizations, the first English dictionary wasn’t published until 1604. In the centuries that followed, many more dictionaries were written by individual authors who chose what to include or exclude, with most quickly becoming outdated. One 19th century lexicon had a different fate. Ilan Stavans digs into the history of Webster's Dictionary.Lesson by Ilan Stavans, directed by Lisa LaBracio.Support Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/who-decides-what-s-in-the-dictionary-ilan-stavansDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/who-decides-what-s-in-the-dictionary-ilan-stavans#digdeeperMusic: https://www.campstudio.co/----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Leonardo Monrroy, Sumedh Ghaisas, Maryam, Bethany Connor, Jeremy Shimanek, Mark Byers, Avinash Amarnath, Xuebicoco, Rare Media, Rayo, Po Foon Kwong, NinjaBoffin, Jesse Jurman, Josue Perez Miranda, Scott Markley, Elija Peterson, Ovidiu Mrd, Xavi…

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## Transcript

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