buzzword

[buhz-wurd]

noun

1. a word or phrase, often sounding authoritative or technical, that is a vogue term in a particular profession, field of study, popular culture, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of buzzword¹

First recorded in 1965–70; buzz + word

Example Sentences

He delights that it’s become “sort of a buzzword” and celebrates its power to motivate humanistic concern, but warns that our brains can be “a petty organ,” reserving the greatest sympathy for those most similar.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“There was a lot of talk in business buzzwords, but not a lot of tangible business progress.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Instead, “AI literacy” has become a buzzword of the back-to-school season, with a focus on how to leverage the potential of AI while minimizing its risks.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The current buzzword around government is "contribution" - convincing people that they will be beneficiaries and not just contributors to a welfare state.

Read more on BBC

There are more fruitful approaches to conversation than merely trying to best someone in an argument by deploying buzzwords or “gotcha!” moments.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• jargon 
• slang