wiki

[wik-ee]

noun

plural

wikis 

1. (sometimes initial capital letter),  a website that allows users to add, delete, or revise content by using a web browser: Students who contribute to the class review wiki may earn extra credit points on their exams.

   The wiki has character descriptions and image galleries for every game in the franchise.

   Students who contribute to the class review wiki may earn extra credit points on their exams.

   Research and development team members should all have permission to edit the design wikis for all current projects.

2. Also called wiki application. Also called wiki engine,. the software used to create a wiki.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or being a wiki.

   wiki servers.

wiki

/ ˈwɪkɪ /

noun

1. 1. a web application that allows anyone visiting a website to edit content on it

   2. ( as modifier )

      wiki technology

Word History and Origins

Origin of wiki¹

First recorded in 1990–95; shortening of WikiWikiWeb, a software program developed by Howard G. “Ward” Cunningham (born 1949), U.S. computer programmer; from Hawaiian wikiwiki “very quick,” emphatic reduplication of wiki “quick.” Cunningham coined the name WikiWikiWeb after recalling that a Honolulu International Airport counter employee advised him to take the Wiki Wiki Shuttle (a shuttle bus that runs between the terminals of the airport); his original idea was to make WikiWikiWeb's pages readily editable by its users and initially thought about calling his program QuickWeb but changed his mind and named it WikiWikiWeb

Word History and Origins

Origin of wiki¹

C20: from Hawaiian wiki-wiki quick, coined by Ward Cunningham (born 1949), US computer programmer who invented the concept

Example Sentences

The bull market for robotaxis may not last, but the one for editors of one specific Wiki page definitely will.

From Slate

There’s no need to delay changes until some distant future print run; the whole point of a wiki is that you can always make an edit.

From Slate

In March this year, Leigh joined the crowded start line at Glasgow's SEC and came fifth in the woman's doubles category in her age group, with her friend Wiki.

From BBC

Leigh and Wiki are delighted to already have secured their tickets - and can't wait to start preparing.

From BBC

That leaves this frenzied backstage glimpse not nearly as absorbing, as if everyone were a hypertext link to their future Wiki page instead of talented people in a tense moment, ready to gamble on something new.

From Los Angeles Times