Based on the authoritative American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition, the Office Edition has been completely updated; every single entry has been reviewed and revised as necessary. Its thousands of new words and senses, such as antiquark, earbud, and the verb sense of friend, reflect recent developments in the sciences, technology, and popular culture. Hundreds of photographs and drawings enhance the text, and several tables such as the periodic table of the elements and a table of units of measurement provide helpful data in a useful visual format. Forming the heart of the dictionary, however, are its more than 70,000 entry words, whose clear, straightforward definitions--supplemented by pronunciations, inflections of irregular verbs and plural nouns, and selected etymologies--make the Office Edition of the American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition, an essential reference for the office, school, or home.

Offers more than 35,000 definitions, plus a reference section and a special guide to pronunciation, punctuation, grammar, and style.

Contains entries for over 10,000 new words reflecting the explosion of computer and Internet technology as well as changes in popular culture and slang.

Includes sections with brief biographical and geographic entries, and abbreviations.