What is the definition of an acronym?

An acronym is a word formed from the first letters or syllables of a series of words. It can be pronounced as a word (like NASA or NATO) or spelled out letter by letter (like FBI or BBC).

Here are some key characteristics of an acronym:

* Formed from the first letters or syllables: Each letter or syllable in the acronym represents a word in the original phrase.

* Can be pronounced as a word: Some acronyms are pronounced as a single word, while others are spelled out letter by letter.

* Represents a longer phrase or concept: Acronyms are often used to simplify long names or concepts.

Examples:

* NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

* NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization

* FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation

* BBC: British Broadcasting Corporation

* RADAR: Radio Detection and Ranging

Note: Acronyms are different from initialisms, which are formed from the first letters of a phrase but are spelled out letter by letter and not pronounced as a word (e.g., CIA, USA).