grapheme

American  

[graf-eem] / ˈgræf im /

noun

Linguistics.

1. a minimal unit of a writing system.

2. a unit of a writing system consisting of all the written symbols or sequences of written symbols that are used to represent a single phoneme.

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grapheme British  

/ ˈɡræfiːm /

noun

1. linguistics one of a set of orthographic symbols (letters or combinations of letters) in a given language that serve to distinguish one word from another and usually correspond to or represent phonemes, e.g. the f in fun, the ph in phantom, and the gh in laugh

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Other Word Forms

• graphemically adverb

Etymology

Origin of grapheme

First recorded in 1935–40; graph- + -eme

Example Sentences

Children in England learn to read through a system known as synthetic phonics, where they are taught the sounds of letters, 'phonemes', and how these sounds are written, 'graphemes'.

From Science Daily

Every gambler trusts in a few abstract symbols – the dots on a dice, numerals, suits, red or black, the graphemes on a fruit machine – to tell them who they are.

From The Guardian

“In linguistics, a grapheme is the smallest unit of the writing system of any given language.”

From The New Yorker

The researchers said schools may be wasting their time teaching more complex graphemes of little use to children in reading.

From BBC

The fusiform gyrus contains a site, where graphemes are perceived, abutting the color processing area V4.

From Scientific American