household word

noun

1. a familiar name, phrase, saying, etc.; byword:

   The advertising campaign is designed to make this new product a household word.

Word History and Origins

Origin of household word¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

They began spot-spraying with a pesticide called malathion, which was about to become a household word.

From Los Angeles Times

Dan Fisher in 1988 was one of the first to make “intifada” a household word in America and the English-speaking world.

From Los Angeles Times

“To keep every employee busy, to pay them and to turn a profit, Jay Hormel believed a stellar product was needed that would become a household word,” according to a Hormel history book released in 1991 to commemorate the company’s centennial.

From Seattle Times

Education funding rates for incarcerated students were set in 1995, when Microsoft was barely a household word.

From Seattle Times

He’s becoming a household word in Japan, and fans are singing the praises of the St. Louis Cardinals outfielder at the Tokyo Dome, where he went 5 for 11 with two RBIs during Japan’s 3-0 start.

From Seattle Times