Merriam-Webster is a renowned American company that publishes reference books, particularly dictionaries. Founded in 1831 by George and Charles Merriam in Springfield, Massachusetts, it’s the oldest dictionary publisher in the US. The company gained fame when it took over the rights to ‘An American Dictionary of the English Language’ from Noah Webster’s estate in 1843. With a long history of contributions to language and education, the company has published significant editions such as the first unabridged dictionary and ‘Webster’s International.’ In the digital age, it has adapted by launching online dictionaries and thesauruses, mobile apps, and maintaining an active presence on social media[1]. Merriam-Webster’s dictionaries are noted for their unique phonetic symbols and a focus on accuracy and reflecting language usage.
Merriam-Webster, Incorporated is an American company that publishes reference books and is mostly known for its dictionaries. It is the oldest dictionary publisher in the United States.
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| Parent company | Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. |
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| Founded | 1831 |
| Founder | George Merriam, Charles Merriam |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Headquarters location | Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Publication types | Reference books, online dictionaries |
| Owner(s) | Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. |
| Official website | www |
In 1831, George and Charles Merriam founded the company as G & C Merriam Co. in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1843, after Noah Webster died, the company bought the rights to An American Dictionary of the English Language from Webster's estate. All Merriam-Webster dictionaries trace their lineage to this source.
In 1964, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., acquired Merriam-Webster, Inc., as a subsidiary. The company adopted its current name, Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, in 1982.
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