Each week, we scan the latest headlines to spot words in action. From major news stories to pop culture buzz, this feature highlights language as it’s unfolding. Stories about electric air taxis, a daring rescue, and a surprising comeback in tween fashion all contributed to the vocabulary from this week’s news.
aviation
noun: the design, production, maintenance, and use of aircraft
From the headlines: A new Federal Aviation Administration program will test electric air taxis, also known as vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. With at least five projects underway, researchers will evaluate piloted and unmanned models for use in medical emergencies and cargo transport. The FAA’s fast-track plan ties into America’s broader strategy to remain at the forefront of commercial aviation.
contentious
adjective: involving or likely to cause controversy
From the headlines: Three celebrity chefs are speaking out against a California proposal to ban so-called “forever chemicals” from certain consumer products. The debate over synthetic PFAS has become especially contentious in relation to nonstick cookware. Rachael Ray, Marcus Samuelsson, and David Chang, all of whom endorse or sell such pans, argue the products are safe when properly used. Supporters of the ban, however, maintain that PFAS in nonstick coatings are linked to cancer, birth defects, and other serious health problems.
dauntless
adjective: not to be intimidated; fearless; bold
From the headlines: Danie Wright was walking her Shih Tzu near her home in Land O’Lakes, Florida, when an alligator lunged from a creek and bit onto the dog’s collar. Holding fast to the leash, the dauntless woman was dragged into the water alongside her pet. Wright managed to hurl the dog to safety as the reptile bit down on her arm. She then punched and kicked the alligator until it released her. Fortunately, neither Wright nor the dog sustained life-threatening injuries.
laureate
noun: a person who has been honored for achieving distinction in a particular field
From the headlines: Arthur Sze was named the 25th U.S. poet laureate by the Library of Congress. He will hold the title through 2026, taking over from the previous honoree, Ada Limón. Sze’s poetry is influenced by science, nature, and philosophy, often focusing on the Southwest. He is a previous winner of the National Book Award and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
marsupial
noun: a member of the mammalian order Marsupialia, characterized by the female having a pouch for carrying the young
From the headlines: In an ambitious conservation project, New Zealand is trying to eradicate dozens of invasive species in order to protect its rare birds. The brushtail possum, one of the most serious threats to endangered indigenous birds, is a fox-like relative of the kangaroo that was introduced in New Zealand almost 200 years ago. The government is relying on the help of volunteers across the country to remove the destructive marsupial from public and private land.
modish
adjective: in the current fashion; stylish
From the headlines: A survey from the American Association of Orthodontics shows that wearing metal braces has “never been cooler” among middle-school students. While past orthodontic patients requested clear aligners, a majority now ask for the trendier old-school silver version. Metal braces, once used in popular culture to signify nerdiness, have become modish among tweens and teenagers.
persona
noun: an image of oneself that one presents to the world
From the headlines: A new David Bowie archive in East London invites visitors to explore the rock legend’s many onstage personas. The collection showcases 90,000 items once owned by Bowie, including the iconic costumes he wore while embodying each character. Among the most famous of these theatrical identities are Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, and the Thin White Duke.
photovoltaic
adjective: Electricity. Relating to converting light into electric current
From the headlines: Bordeaux is set to become France’s most solar-powered city, using innovative strategies to reach that milestone. To protect the city’s historic architecture, solar panels have been developed that look like terracotta tiles or come in transparent designs. Urban planners have also introduced a photovoltaic cover for a bike path that both shades cyclists and generates clean energy.
pole vault
noun: Track. a field event in which a leap or vault over a crossbar is performed with the aid of a long pole
From the headlines: On September 15, Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis broke the pole vault world record for the 14th time in five years. Duplantis won his third world championship gold medal at the the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo by propelling himself up and over a 6.15-meter bar. He then took three tries to break the world record, finally clearing 6.30 meters.
repercussion
noun: an effect or result, often indirect or remote, of some event or action
From the headlines: China’s move to stop importing US soybeans has had devastating repercussions for some American farmers. In recent years, China bought more than 50 percent of the soybeans grown in the United States. Farmers who depended on these exports are bearing some of the worst consequences of China’s retaliation against US tariffs. As soybean growers watch their income and land values decline — and scramble to locate storage facilities for unsold crops — many fear they will soon face bankruptcy.
