text

UK: /ˈtɛkst/ US: /tɛkst/ ,(tekst)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

text /tɛkst/   n. 

1. the main body of matter in a manuscript, book, etc., as distinguished from notes, appendixes, illustrations, etc:
   [uncountable] Did you look at the pictures or did you actually read the text?
2. the actual, original words of an author or speaker, as opposed to a translation, etc.:
   [countable] We could send away for a copy of the text of the interview.
3. any of the various forms in which a writing exists:
   [countable] The text is a medieval transcription.
4. a textbook:
   [countable] The texts haven't arrived for the class yet.
5. Religion a short passage of Scripture, esp. one chosen as the subject of a sermon:
   [countable] He chose as the text for his sermon the Sermon on the Mount.

tex•tu•al /ˈtɛkstʃuəl/  adj.:

textual analysis.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

text  (tekst), n. 

1. the main body of matter in a manuscript, book, newspaper, etc., as distinguished from notes, appendixes, headings, illustrations, etc.
2. the original words of an author or speaker, as opposed to a translation, paraphrase, commentary, or the like:
   The newspaper published the whole text of the speech.
3. the actual wording of anything written or printed:
   You have not kept to the text of my remarks.
4. any of the various forms in which a writing exists:
   The text is a medieval transcription.
5. the wording adopted by an editor as representing the original words of an author:
   the authoritative text of Catullus.
6. any theme or topic;
   subject.
7. the words of a song or the like.
8. a textbook.
9. Religion a short passage of Scripture, esp. one chosen in proof of a doctrine or as the subject of a sermon:
   The text he chose was the
   Sermon on the Mount.
10. Religion the letter of the Holy Scripture, or the Scriptures themselves.
11. [Print.]
    • Printing See black letter. 
    • Printing type, as distinguished from illustrations, margins, etc.
12. Linguistics a unit of connected speech or writing, esp. composed of more than one sentence, that forms a cohesive whole.
13. anything considered to be a subject for analysis by or as if by methods of literary criticism.

• Medieval Latin textus text, terms, Latin: text, structure, origin, originally, pattern of weaving, texture (of cloth), equivalent. to tex(ere) to weave + -tus suffix of verb, verbal action
• Middle English 1300–50

text′less, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

text / tɛkst/ noun

1. the main body of a printed or written work as distinct from commentary, notes, illustrations, etc
2. (often plural) a book prescribed as part of a course of study
3. the words printed, written, or displayed on a visual display unit
4. the original exact wording of a work, esp the Bible, as distinct from a revision or translation
5. a short passage of the Bible used as a starting point for a sermon or adduced as proof of a doctrine
6. the topic or subject of a discussion or work
7. short for textbook
8. short for text message

verb

1. to send a text message to (someone) using a mobile phone

Etymology: 14th Century: from Medieval Latin textus version, from Latin textus texture, from texere to compose