The word lexicon has a number of closely-related meanings, which can easily lead to confusion and may cause the word to be used in an awkward way. Lexicon can refer to a general dictionary of a language (as in "a lexicon of the Hebrew language") and also to a narrower printed compilation of words within some sphere (as in "a medical lexicon" or "a lexicon of the German in Finnegans Wake").
Similarly, lexicon can refer both to the vocabulary of a specific group of people ("the lexicon of French") or to the general language used by an unspecified group of people ("a word that has not entered the general lexicon yet"). It may also often be found in reference to the vocabulary employed by a particular speaker ("'Failure' is not a word in my lexicon").
a computer term that has entered the general lexicon an avid word enthusiast who is compiling a lexicon of archaic and unusual words
Recent Examples on the WebPluto came into the lexicon in 1930 when astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered it when searching for signs of a planet. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2022 Quiet quitting,' the viral term that only recently entered the workplace lexicon, is stirring up plenty of opinions. Peter Vanham, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2022 So Kravchenko brought into the American lexicon a new phrase. Bill Donahue, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2022 Spotlighting as the sneaker of the season (read: century), the Samba—a 70-year-old adidas design originally created by founder Adi Dassler—made its way back into the fashion lexicon over the last two years. Megan O'sullivan, Vogue, 5 July 2022 This concept has found its way into business lexicon. Barry Mccarthy, Forbes, 17 May 2022 Alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own hair follicles, vaulted into the lexicon this week when actor Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars ceremony. Callum Borchers, WSJ, 31 Mar. 2022 Putin offered a cringe-inducing look into the strongman's lexicon during a news conference with his French counterpart in Moscow this week. Frida Ghitis, CNN, 9 Feb. 2022 In the ever-expanding lexicon of college football, a new term has crept into Oregon State’s vocabulary this summer.oregonlive, 5 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Late Greek lexikon, from neuter of lexikos of words, from Greek lexis word, speech, from legein to say — more at legend