: existing or occurring in reality : drawn from or drawing on actual events or situations : real-life
a real-world example
… the complex relationship between a word and the real-world thing it labels.Jean Aitchison
Digital objects aren't bound by the same constraints as real-world objects—that is, broadly speaking, the whole point of digital objects—but they're often made to look like real-world objects anyway.Lev Grossman
… combine the rigors of academics with the soothing realities of real-world applications.Ricardo Bilton
The paintings are essentially abstract, but they don't feel abstract. They feature, besides passages of figurative drawing, a real-world aura …Peter Schjeldahl

Examples of real-world in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The creators referenced the video game his show is based on, as well as real-world places that saw mass destruction, like the area around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025 The show follows a global team of young heroes who use teamwork and tech to solve real-world problems. Jamie Lang, Variety, 2 June 2025 These chatbots often fall short in handling the complexity and variability of real-world human interactions. John Bruno, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 There could be a push-pull between the desire and expand, versus limitations and real-world consequences. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for real-world

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of real-world was in 1963

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Cite this Entry

“Real-world.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/real-world. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on real-world

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