Dictionaries — entry 006 of 12
Merriam-Webster
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary API returns JSON definitions, pronunciations, and audio from the publisher's own Collegiate Dictionary and Thesaurus, plus specialized editions covering medical, learner's, Spanish-English, and grade-banded school dictionaries, each requiring a separate free API key. Keys are issued under a strict non-commercial license capped at 1,000 queries/day/key; using the service in a commercial product requires a separately negotiated agreement with Merriam-Webster.
AuthenticationAPI KeySign up with the provider to obtain credentials.
HTTPSSupportedTraffic is encrypted in transit.
CORSEnabledCallable directly from browser JavaScript.
PricingFreeNo paid tier — free for the documented use case.
FormatsJSONResponses can be requested as JSON.
GreatAPIs Score
Score78
Authentication15/25API key required
Pricing20/20Free to use
Docs14/20Documentation URL provided
Formats9/15Single response format
Freshness20/20Verified within 6 months
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<a href="https://greatapis.com/api/merriam-webster/"><img src="https://greatapis.com/badge/merriam-webster.svg" alt="Scored 78 on greatapis.com"></a>Auth quickstart
- Sign up with the provider to get an API key.
- Send it on every request as a header
Authorization: <key> - The exact header isn't documented — Authorization is a common default; confirm in the provider's docs.
Stored keyNo key stored
Your key is stored only in this browser (localStorage) and sent directly to the API — never to greatapis.