The ''Word of the Decade'' was just announced by the American Dialect Society.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/non-binary-they-becomes-2019-word-of-the-year-merriam-webster-267587">''They''</a> has been voted as the ''word of the decade'' by United States language experts. The winning gender-neutral pronoun has gained usage all over the world by non-binary identifying individuals, who choose to not be referred as either ''he'' or ''she''.

The other contenders for the coveted title included ''climate'' and ''meme''.

Used primarily by non-binary individuals (who identify neither as male nor female), ''they'' is preferred to bypass the traditionally gendered dictates of ''he'' or ''she''.

Ben Zimmer, head of the American Dialect Society, said, "When a fundamental part of language like pronouns becomes a vital indicator of trends in society, linguists prick up their ears".&nbsp;The 131-year-old society includes linguists, lexicographers, etymologists, grammarians, historians, researchers, writers, editors, students and scholars.

In a statement released on Friday, he added how the selection of ''they'' as word of the decade indicated "how the personal expression of gender identity has become an increasing part of our shared discourse."

Earlier, the American dictionary Merriam-Webster had named ''they'' its word of the year in November 2019.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/non-binary-they-becomes-2019-word-of-the-year-merriam-webster-267587">Non-binary "They" becomes 2019 Word of The Year: Merriam-Webster</a>

Non-binary individuals are coming out in larger numbers than ever, and have found representation on television and in pop culture. Sam Smith, a famous British singer-performer recently revealed that he identifies as non-binary and prefers the pronouns ''they/them'' "after a lifetime of being at war with [their] gender."

Recently, the technology giant Apple had added gender-neutral emojis to its roster.&nbsp;

In 2015, the American Dialect Society had named "they" their word of the year.

<img alt="''They''" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8deeb5d8-9141-4fe6-9da1-4c66830f8bf5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/119560-untitled-design-1.jpg" /> 
Image: Earlier, ''They'' was voted word of the year by Merriam-Webster

Even though it's referred to as the ''word of the year'', the category is not limited to a single word. According to the Society, other words that were almost chosen include #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, climate, emoji, meme, the opioid crisis, and woke.

The 131-year-old society includes linguists, lexicographers, etymologists, grammarians, historians, researchers, writers, editors, students and scholars.

The words of the past two decades were ''google'' and ''web''.

(With inputs from agencies)

The ''Word of the Decade'' was just announced by the American Dialect Society. ''They'' has been voted as the ''word of the decade'' by United States language experts.

The ''Word of the Decade'' was just announced by the American Dialect Society. ''They'' has been voted as the ''word of the decade'' by United States language experts. The winning gender-neutral pronoun has gained usage all over the world by non-binary identifying individuals, who choose to not be referred as either ''he'' or ''she''. The other contenders for the coveted title included ''climate'' and ''meme''. Used primarily by non-binary individuals (who identify neither as male nor female), ''they'' is preferred to bypass the traditionally gendered dictates of ''he'' or ''she''. Ben Zimmer, head of the American Dialect Society, said, "When a fundamental part of language like pronouns becomes a vital indicator of trends in society, linguists prick up their ears". The 131-year-old society includes linguists, lexicographers, etymologists, grammarians, historians, researchers, writers, editors, students and scholars. In a statement released on Friday, he added how the selection of ''they'' as word of the decade indicated "how the personal expression of gender identity has become an increasing part of our shared discourse." Earlier, the American dictionary Merriam-Webster had named ''they'' its word of the year in November 2019. Also read: Non-binary "They" becomes 2019 Word of The Year: Merriam-Webster Non-binary individuals are coming out in larger numbers than ever, and have found representation on television and in pop culture. Sam Smith, a famous British singer-performer recently revealed that he identifies as non-binary and prefers the pronouns ''they/them'' "after a lifetime of being at war with [their] gender." Recently, the technology giant Apple had added gender-neutral emojis to its roster. In 2015, the American Dialect Society had named "they" their word of the year. Image: Earlier, ''They'' was voted word of the year by Merriam-Webster Even though it's referred to as the ''word of the year'', the category is not limited to a single word. According to the Society, other words that were almost chosen include #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, climate, emoji, meme, the opioid crisis, and woke. The 131-year-old society includes linguists, lexicographers, etymologists, grammarians, historians, researchers, writers, editors, students and scholars. The words of the past two decades were ''google'' and ''web''. (With inputs from agencies)

Climate, they, or meme? Word of the Decade revealed

United States dictionary Merriam-Webster has named the non-binary pronoun "They" its Word of The Year for 2019.

The dictionary had recently added the non-binary pronoun "They" as an entry in its dictionary.

The word "They" can be used to refer to a single person whose gender identity is nonbinary and can also be used to refer to a single person whose gender is intentionally not revealed.

This is along with three other separate definitions present in the dictionary.

According to Meriam Webster, since its addition, the word 'they' was looked up 313 per cent more this year than the previous one. 
&nbsp; 
The word had a new sense added to it in September and is increasingly common in both public and personal communication.

Merriam-Webster's runners-up were influenced by the news, with words like "Impeach" and "Quid pro quo" making the list, based on the ongoing impeachment hearings into United States President Donald Trump and "Camp", which was the theme of this year's Met Gala.

Throughout the years, Merriam-Webster words of the year have been affected by growing trends.

Its Word of The Year in 2018 was "Justice," while in 2017 it was "Feminism". &nbsp;

The non-binary 'They' is becoming increasingly popular with its usage in current times, the pronoun has also seen increased representation on television and in pop culture.

United States dictionary Merriam-Webster has named the non-binary pronoun "They" its Word of The Year for 2019. The dictionary had recently added the non-binary pronoun "They" as an entry in its dictionary.

United States dictionary Merriam-Webster has named the non-binary pronoun "They" its Word of The Year for 2019. The dictionary had recently added the non-binary pronoun "They" as an entry in its dictionary. The word "They" can be used to refer to a single person whose gender identity is nonbinary and can also be used to refer to a single person whose gender is intentionally not revealed. This is along with three other separate definitions present in the dictionary. According to Meriam Webster, since its addition, the word 'they' was looked up 313 per cent more this year than the previous one. The word had a new sense added to it in September and is increasingly common in both public and personal communication. Merriam-Webster's runners-up were influenced by the news, with words like "Impeach" and "Quid pro quo" making the list, based on the ongoing impeachment hearings into United States President Donald Trump and "Camp", which was the theme of this year's Met Gala. Throughout the years, Merriam-Webster words of the year have been affected by growing trends. Its Word of The Year in 2018 was "Justice," while in 2017 it was "Feminism". The non-binary 'They' is becoming increasingly popular with its usage in current times, the pronoun has also seen increased representation on television and in pop culture.

Non-binary "They" becomes 2019 Word of The Year: Merriam-Webster

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