What is a Webby? A Webby is an award presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences for excellence in a variety of forms of digital media. The award is formally called a Webby Award, and the award ceremony is called the Webby Awards or the Webbys for short. Webbys are awarded in many different categories, including those involving websites, apps, podcasts, videos, and newsletters. The Webby Awards ceremony is perhaps best known for having winners deliver acceptance speeches consisting of only five words. The physical Webby Award is in the form of a silver spiral.
First recorded in 1655–65; web + -y 1
First recorded in 1995–2000; (World Wide) Web ( def. ) + -y 2 ( def. )
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As ever, Zendaya stole the show with a floor-length Tamara Ralph champagne silk crepe gown with spider webby straps, matching the white carpet in Leicester Square.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
If the silk hardens too soon, it could clog the spider’s glands with a nightmarishly webby form of constipation.
From New York Times ● Nov. 4, 2020
Argos is also one of the UK's most webby retailers, getting 42% of sales online.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 31, 2012
Actually, Obama's campaign was never really so webby to begin with.
From Slate ● Jan. 21, 2010
She looks down at the webby feet of her stockings, says, “I can cook corn pone.”
From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
He was a finalist for an Online Journalism Award for his coverage of Simone Biles, and his co-produced series on topical political issues was a Webby Award honoree.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026
Anna won a Gracie for best podcast host in 2016 and the show won the 2018 Webby and 2021 Ambie for best interview show.
From Slate ● Oct. 30, 2025
Fortunately, said the World Health Organization’s Richard Webby, the combination that occurred in this population of commercial ducks is unlikely to increase the likelihood of a human pandemic.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2025
“Maybe what we see isn’t exactly the tip of the iceberg, but it’s certainly not the whole story,” Webby said.
From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2024
Webby shook just a little when he stood once more on solid earth, and he was more silent than ever.
From Battling the Clouds or, For a Comrade's Honor by Cobb, Frank
Early on there were Koufaxes, later Webbies, and all sorts of other blogging awards.
From Scientific American ● Jul. 10, 2012
In both these cases, unlike in the tax issue, the Webbies are basically in the right.
From Time Magazine Archive
The Webbys even named her their artist of the year.
From Salon ● Dec. 29, 2023
The Webbys also honored emoji creator Shigetaka Kurita with a lifetime achievement award, AI writing tool ChatGPT with the breakout of the year award and SZA for artist of the year.
From Reuters ● Apr. 25, 2023
The 17th annual Webbys, which celebrate Internet achievement, are to be officially announced Tuesday.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 30, 2013
Grammy-winner Ocean won Person of the Year for using the "power of the Web as a medium for cultural change," the Webbys said.
From Reuters ● Apr. 30, 2013
The Webbys also honored the rock band OK Go, famous for their viral music videos, as video artist of the year.
From Washington Post ● May 4, 2010
But for very basic banking, smaller, webbier, and more local alternatives tend to be better.
From Slate ● Oct. 10, 2011
Our current home page design, unveiled in September 2013, is our webbiest yet.
From Slate ● Sep. 23, 2016
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
