Ever wonder how everyday chatter becomes a dictionary entry? The journey of a new word is far from random it’s a data-driven, carefully curated process rooted in real usage and linguistic rigor.

1. Capture in the Wild
   Lexicographers are avid readers, scouring books, articles, social media, and more for emerging terms. Each example of a word in context is collected as a citation the raw fuel for dictionary entries.
2. Evidence Over Time
   Not all novelty survives. To qualify, a term must be used frequently, widely, and meaningfully over time not vanish as a fleeting meme. Once it shows staying power, it's a candidate for inclusion.
3. Research & Define
   Lexicographers insert the word into a searchable corpus, analyze usage patterns, and craft definitions that reflect how people genuinely use the term. Meaning must be agreed upon across broad usage to make defining possible.
4. Lemmas & Structure
   Many words have varied forms think “running,” “ran,” “runs” but dictionaries often list one base form, or lemma. Lexicographers decide which form to include, considering morphology and usability.
5. Final Inclusion
   Once vetted, the word is assigned a clear definition, pronunciation, usage notes, and added into the lexicon part of the living record that evolves with language.

Bottom line: dictionaries aren’t language gatekeepers they’re mirrors reflecting how we actually speak, write, and evolve. So yes, the broadly used, the durable, and the meaningful get in.