1
: the forming of words from letters according to accepted usage : orthography
2
a
: a sequence of letters composing a word
b
: the way in which a word is spelled
Examples of spelling in a Sentence
The American spelling is “color” while the British spelling is “colour.”
The words “made” and “maid” sound alike but have different spellings.
Recent Examples on the Web
Thus the country’s decision to go with that whisky spelling rather than whiskey.
—
Emily Price, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
This article has been updated with the correct spelling of Colson.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
In 2019, the spelling bee’s results were arguably some of the most controversial, as the competition ended with the only eight-way tie in the Scripps National Spelling Bee’s history.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
This year’s contest celebrates 100 years since the first spelling bee was held on June 17, 1925.
—Isabela Espadas Barros Leal, New York Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spelling
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Emily Price, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
This article has been updated with the correct spelling of Colson.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
In 2019, the spelling bee’s results were arguably some of the most controversial, as the competition ended with the only eight-way tie in the Scripps National Spelling Bee’s history.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
This year’s contest celebrates 100 years since the first spelling bee was held on June 17, 1925.
—Isabela Espadas Barros Leal, New York Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spelling
Cite this Entry
“Spelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spelling. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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