cuvântul

Cuvântul is a Romanian noun meaning "the word" and is used to denote a unit of linguistic expression, a spoken or written message, or a piece of speech. It is masculine; the indefinite form is un cuvânt, the definite form cuvântul, and the plural cuvinte. The noun forms commonly appear with the definite article as suffix, which is standard in Romanian.

In usage, cuvântul appears in a variety of phrases: a avea un cuvânt de spus (to have a word to say or a say in something), a rosti un cuvânt (to utter a word), cuvântul-cheie (keyword), and cuvânt de ordine (watchword, directive). The word also figures prominently in rhetoric and literary language as the basic unit of meaning and as a figure of speech in phrases like "spune-mi cuvântul" (tell me the word) though more idiomatic phrases vary regionally.

Cuvântul has also served as a title for several Romanian-language periodicals, including religious and cultural publications. The usage of the term in such contexts underscores the symbolic sense of speech, message, and public discourse.

Etymology: The term cuvânt is a native Romanian word. It is part of the standard lexicon and has cognates in other Romance languages referring to speech, though the exact historical development is a matter of ongoing linguistic study.