dictation

[ dik-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or manner of dictating for reproduction in writing.
2. the act or manner of transcribing words uttered by another.
3. words that are dictated or that are reproduced from dictation.
4. the playing or singing of music to be notated by a listener, especially as a technique of training the ear.
5. music notated from dictation.
6. the act of commanding arbitrarily.
7. something commanded.

dictation

/ dɪkˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of dictating material to be recorded or taken down in writing
2. the material dictated
3. authoritative commands or the act of giving them

Derived Forms

• dicˈtational, adjective

Other Words From

• dic·tation·al adjective
• nondic·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dictation¹

1650–60; < Late Latin dictātiōn- (stem of dictātiō ) a dictating < Latin dictāt ( us ) ( dictate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

The Champs-Élysées Committee has staged other open-air events in the past, including a mass movie showing and the world’s largest dictation event.

From Seattle Times

Typing, voice dictation technology or my usual chicken scratch would’ve done the job far faster.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump spokesman Steve Cheung, either taking dictation from the boss or channeling him perfectly, put out this humdinger of a statement in advance of the event:

From Salon

Several famous people were there to play the part of the teacher, and read the dictation texts out loud.

From NewsForKids.net

Twelve years in the making, written with the aid of voice dictation software, it is a singular accomplishment, especially knowing now that complications from the stroke eventually killed him.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• transcription