General Definition:
* A unit of language that has meaning and can be spoken or written. This is the most basic definition.
* A single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing. This emphasizes that a word is an independent unit that can stand alone.
Other Important Aspects:
* Words can be made up of one or more morphemes. A morpheme is the smallest meaningful unit of language.
* Words have grammatical functions. They can be nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, etc.
* Words have different pronunciations and spellings.
* Words can be combined to form phrases and sentences.
Specific Definitions:
* In linguistics: A word is a unit of language that is the smallest element of a language that can stand alone.
* In lexicography: A word is a unit of language that is listed in a dictionary.
Example:
The word "cat" is a unit of language that has meaning, can be spoken or written, is made up of one morpheme, is a noun, and can be combined with other words to form phrases and sentences.
Ultimately, the definition of "word" is complex and depends on the specific context in which it is used.