Meanings
present singular third person gives the word · participle present giving the word · past gave the word · participle past given the word
- To communicate or signal to another that an action or event is allowed to commence or should be commenced, usually but not necessarily by linguistic communication.
We can't start the project until the boss has given us the word.
1 more example
Given the choice / Given the heart / Given the truth / Given the word / Given the cheers / Given the tears / Given the choice
1988, R.E.M., “Turn You Inside-Out”, in GreenSynonyms: say the word
Synonyms & antonyms
verbTo communicate or signal to another that an action or event is allowed to commence or should be commenced, usually but not necessarily by linguistic communication.
Origin
From the concept of using a certain word used as a signal to others that they are allowed to commence on some event. While the term originally meant that a pre-decided word was to be used, the term has since evolved to mean giving allowance for an event to commence in general, not necessarily by a specific word.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
give the word. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20the%20word
“give the word.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20the%20word. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “give the word,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20the%20word.
Source: give the word on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.