Posted on Fri, Jul. 07, 2006

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Dictionary adds verb: to google

By Scott Duke Harris

Mercury News

It's official: Google has become such an essential part of modern speech that it's now in the dictionary.

Merriam-Webster said Thurs- day that its next hardbound dictionary will include ``google'' as a transitive verb, meaning ``to use the Google search engine to obtain information . . . on the World Wide Web.''

The listing puts the Mountain View company in the select realm of trademark companies and products that altered the English language, such as Xerox and Kleenex. Spokesman Steve Langdon said Thursday the listing is ``appropriate.''

Google's listing on the Web site merriamwebster.com is surrounded by, what else?

Ads from Google.