shorthand
noun
short·hand
ˈshȯrt-ˌhand 
1
: a method of writing rapidly by substituting characters, abbreviations, or symbols for letters, sounds, words, or phrases : stenography
2
: something likened to shorthand especially in providing rapid or abbreviated communication or representation
stereotype and cliché serve a purpose as a form of shorthand—
Stephanie Ericsson
Stephanie Ericssonheadline shorthand
shorthand
adjective
Examples of shorthand in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even that word, discourse—a shorthand for the way that a particular topic gets put through the internet’s meat grinder—is a misnomer, because none of the participants is really talking to the others.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 July 2025
The geographical and generational gap was a convenient shorthand for exploring versions of masculinity.
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 27 July 2025
An emergency dispatcher announced the shooting over the police radio in the same breath as a 10-1 call, shorthand for officers in distress.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
Heritage was the buzzword of my trip, shorthand for the pendulum swing away from a raze-and-replace mentality toward one of restore and refurbish.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shorthand
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.
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 July 2025
The geographical and generational gap was a convenient shorthand for exploring versions of masculinity.
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 27 July 2025
An emergency dispatcher announced the shooting over the police radio in the same breath as a 10-1 call, shorthand for officers in distress.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
Heritage was the buzzword of my trip, shorthand for the pendulum swing away from a raze-and-replace mentality toward one of restore and refurbish.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shorthand
Cite this Entry
“Shorthand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shorthand. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shorthand
noun
short·hand
ˈshȯrt-ˌhand
1
: a method of rapid writing by using symbols for sounds, words, or phrases
2
: a short or quick way of showing or saying something
shorthand
adjective
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share