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Celebrating 30 Years of Dictionary.com Through the Words That Defined the Times

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Words grow up, too. From “stream” to “hallucination,” our language—and world—has evolved since 1995.

SAN MATEO, Calif., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In 1995, the world met Toy Story, tuned into the O.J. Simpson verdict and embraced a new tech frontier known as the World Wide Web. That same year, Dictionary.com opened its virtual doors, becoming one of the internet’s first destinations for word lovers, curious minds and anyone needing to settle a spelling debate.

Now, the world’s leading online dictionary turns 30. And while it hasn’t bought a house or started saving for retirement, it has redefined what it means to be the authority on language in a rapidly changing world.

“Over the past three decades, so many words we use regularly have evolved to take on completely new definitions,” said Steve Johnson, PhD, Director of Lexicography for the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Learning. “Words like cloud and stream no longer just refer to natural phenomena—they also reflect how we live and interact with technology. Through it all, one thing remains the same: language never stops evolving, and Dictionary.com never stops paying attention.”

Taking on new meaning
To celebrate its 30th birthday, Dictionary.com is looking back at how far words have come—in technology, pop culture and how we describe our world. Throughout the last three decades, Dictionary.com has documented this evolution, growing alongside our language. Consider these examples:

Technology:
Stream (noun or verb)

Then: A flowing body of water, or a verb meaning “to run or flow”Now: A verb in digital technology meaning “to send or play video, music, or other data over the internet in a steady flow without having to download it”

The rise of high-speed internet in the 2000s turned streaming from a tech experiment into an everyday experience. Today, we can binge-watch an entire series or replay our favorite songs with a tap. (Kids today will never know the pain of waiting for Saturday morning cartoons.)

Hallucination (noun) 

Then: A false notion, belief or impression; delusionNow: False information generated by a machine learning program, such as artificial intelligence, presented as if it were true

Once confined to psychology textbooks, hallucination now sits at the heart of conversations about artificial intelligence—especially when AI chatbots “make things up.” The term even earned the title of Dictionary.com’s 2023 Word of the Year.

Pop culture:
Ghost (noun or verb)

Then: The spirit or soul of a dead personNow: a verb meaning “to disappear from communication,” especially in reference to dating

People have been getting dumped forever, but ghosting adds a modern twist. With social media, dating apps and DMs, there are endless ways for someone to vanish without a trace. Mysterious, much like the original ghost.

Lit (adjective)

Then: bright, full of lightNow: “intoxicated” or a term of approval meaning “amazing, cool”

Even in the early 1900s, people described themselves as lit after a few too many drinks. Today, it’s a go-to word for anything exciting or fun—whether you’re at a party or just hyping up your group chat.

These shifts reflect more than evolving definitions. They show how language mirrors the spirit of the times—from everyday lingo to coding breakthroughs. For more throwbacks and linguistic insights, check out the full anniversary editorial article here: https://www.dictionary.com/e/booyah-dictionary-com-is-30-a-trip-back-to-1995/

Charting a new course
Since its founding, Dictionary.com has grown from a useful tool into a cultural touchstone. It has tracked the rise of internet slang, unpacked buzzy headlines and spotlighted the words that help us make sense of everything from viral memes to major world events. Today, it continues to shape how we think, talk and connect through language, with features like Word of the Day and Word of the Year leading the conversation.

That mission expanded in 2024, when IXL Learning acquired Dictionary.com and formed Dictionary Media Group. The group encompasses Dictionary.com, Thesaurus.com, SpanishDictionary.com, FrenchDictionary.com, inglés.com, Vocabulary.com, ABCya, StudySpanish.com, Multiplication.com and HomeschoolMath.net. Together, these sites reach over 500 million people around the world each year.

About Dictionary.com
Words define every aspect of our lives, from our ideas to our identities. Dictionary.com aspires to empower people to express themselves, learn something new and find opportunities through the power and joy of language. With 96 million visitors each month, Dictionary.com is the premier destination to learn, discover and have fun with the limitless world of words and meanings. Dictionary.com helps you make sense of the ever-evolving English language so you can put your ideas into words—and your words into action.

Press Contact
Joslyn Chesson
IXL Learning
press@ixl.com

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SOURCE IXL Learning

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KUKA Global Executives Visit Centron for Technical Exchange on Intelligent Assembly Manufacturing

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A KUKA global executive delegation, led by the Vice President of Midea Group, visited Centron for an on-site tour and in-depth exchange on the development of intelligent assembly manufacturing and global market trends.

WUXI, China, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Last week, a global executive delegation from the KUKA Group, led by the Vice President of Midea Group, visited Centron. The delegation comprised members of KUKA Group’s headquarters leadership team, together with business heads from multiple countries and regions.

As a leading global supplier of industrial robots and automation solutions, KUKA’s decision to visit with a delegation of this level reflects both sides’ shared interest in the development trends of intelligent assembly manufacturing. During the visit, the two sides held in-depth exchanges on industry developments, shifts in global markets, and potential areas of future synergy.

The delegation was hosted by Jed Wang, CEO of sister brand Leetx; Ouyang Su, General Manager of the Centron Product Line; Mike Wang, General Manager of the Centron Business Line; and Samuel Chen, Sales Director of Overseas Business. The KUKA executive team toured Centron’s manufacturing base and gained a first-hand understanding of Centron’s product portfolio and manufacturing capabilities in precision dispensing, potting, and trickling impregnation, and also received a briefing on Leetx’s positioning in intelligent assembly technologies, including tightening, press-fitting, and automatic screw feeding.

In the exchange session that followed, the two sides drew on their respective global business experience to share observations and exchange views on the pace of development in the Chinese market, evolving manufacturing needs overseas, the future direction of the intelligent assembly manufacturing industry, and the technology roadmaps of process equipment and robotic platforms.

Jed Wang, CEO of Leetx, commented: “We place great value on exchanges with globally leading automation companies such as KUKA. This visit by KUKA’s global executive team offered a valuable opportunity for both sides to deepen mutual understanding, share global market experience, and explore directions for potential future collaboration. As intelligent manufacturing continues to evolve, open dialogue and industry-wide synergy will open up new possibilities for innovation across the sector.”

This high-level visit also reflects a broader industry trend: the accelerating convergence of industrial robotics, precision dispensing, and intelligent assembly technologies. As vehicle electrification continues to advance, and as levels of automation continue to rise across vehicle assembly, power battery, and automotive component production, the coordination between robotic platforms and process equipment is becoming an increasingly important foundation for improving production quality, manufacturing efficiency, and process consistency. In light of this trend, Centron will continue to maintain open communication with partners across the value chain and to follow the emerging opportunities in intelligent assembly manufacturing with close attention.

About Centron
Centron is a high-tech enterprise that integrates R&D, manufacturing, sales, and customer service, dedicated to delivering advanced, reliable, and precise dispensing, potting, and trickling impregnation solutions for the automotive, e-mobility, energy storage battery, and industrial manufacturing sectors. Building on its continued investment in process automation and digital traceability, Centron supports its customers in achieving consistent quality performance and efficient operations at scale.
www.centronsys.com/en/

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ASTRI and Saudi Digital Government Authority Sign Strategic Partnership to Advance Digital Innovation and AI Development

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HONG KONG, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) and the Digital Government Authority (DGA) of Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh, establishing a strategic partnership to advance digital government innovation and artificial intelligence research.

Witnessed by Dr Abdullah Mohammed AlFaifi, Vice Governor of Investment and Government Excellence at the DGA, the MoU was signed by Ir Dr Ted Suen, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, and Abdulmalik Alhoti, Deputy CEO of Innovation & Emerging Technologies Centre and Senior General Manager of Digital Innovation at the DGA.

The partnership establishes four core areas of collaboration: knowledge exchange through joint technical workshops on AI and emerging technologies; talent development via researcher secondment, PhD exchange and internship programmes; joint research opportunities in AI, digital government, and emerging technologies; and proof-of-concept validation through DGA’s sandbox environment.

Ir Dr Ted Suen, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, said: “This MoU represents a milestone for ASTRI’s expansion into the Middle East market, and underscores the strong synergies between Hong Kong SAR’s world-class applied research capabilities and Saudi Arabia’s visionary digital transformation agenda. Through knowledge exchange, talent development, joint research and proof-of-concept validation, we look forward to contributing to Saudi Vision 2030 while strengthening Hong Kong SAR’s position as a leading international innovation and technology hub.”

Abdulmohsen A. Almadi, Chief Executive Officer of Innovation and Emerging Technology at the DGA, said: “Our partnership with ASTRI represents an important step in shaping the future of digital government by advancing innovation and strengthening collaboration in emerging technologies, building on Saudi Arabia’s leading global position in this field. By combining expertise in applied research, talent development, and experimentation, this collaboration will support the development of innovative solutions, strengthen capabilities, and accelerate the practical application of emerging technologies.”

The MoU follows ASTRI’s participation at the inaugural LEAP EAST in Hong Kong SAR, and marks a further step in the institute’s Middle East market expansion. Ir Dr Ted Suen led an ASTRI Business Mission to Saudi Arabia from 30 August to 2 September 2026, engaging with key government agencies, large corporations and technology companies.

Photos Download: https://bit.ly/45C67ly

 

About ASTRI

Founded in 2000 by the HKSAR Government, Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) is the city’s largest government-funded R&D centre. Committed to transforming high-impact research into practical innovations, ASTRI drives market-driven, interdisciplinary advancements across sectors, including Smart City, FinTech, Digital Health and Life Sciences, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) and Advanced Electronics, New Energy and Energy Storage, and Green and ESG Technologies. Following its merger with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, ASTRI has further strengthened its capabilities, with over 1,500 patents and 2,200 successful cases of technology transfer. Recognised with numerous international awards, ASTRI continues to nurture top I&T talent and foster collaborations among the I&T ecosystem, contributing to Hong Kong’s high-value economic development. For more information, please visit: https://www.astri.org.

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SOURCE Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI)

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Hexaware Becomes Official Partner of Dublin Guardians Playing in the Inaugural European T20 Premier League Season

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Sponsorship extends Hexaware’s association with franchise cricket to Europe

MUMBAI, India, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hexaware Technologies (NSE: HEXT), an AI-first digital and IT services company, today announced its sponsorship of Dublin Guardians as an Official Partner for the team in the inaugural season of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL).

The sponsorship comes as franchise cricket establishes a new foothold in Europe, where Hexaware has operations and continues to build local teams and capabilities across the region. The first ICC-sanctioned ETPL in mainland Europe opened on August 26 with six city-based teams from Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. The league also gives European players more opportunities to compete at a professional level alongside established international cricketers.

Dublin Guardians represents the Irish capital in the competition. Rahul Dravid, former India captain and coach of the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning side, is among the franchise owners. The team is captained and mentored by Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.

“The opportunity to support local talent is an important part of what appealed to us,” said Parameshwaran Iyer, Executive Vice President, Head – UK and Europe, Hexaware. “The ETPL can give more players across Europe the chance to compete at a higher level and help strengthen the game from the grassroots up. We’re pleased to support Dublin Guardians as part of that effort.”

“I’m delighted to welcome Hexaware as a partner of the Dublin Guardians for our inaugural season. It’s exciting to have organisations like Hexaware that share our belief in teamwork, ambition, and excellence alongside us as we begin this journey,” said Rahul Dravid, Chairman, Dublin Guardians.

“Hexaware is a strong addition to the Dublin Guardians journey. Its focus on building local capability in the markets where it operates connects well with what we’re trying to do here,” said Ajit Ravindran, CEO, Dublin Guardians. “For us, that means creating more opportunities for local players to develop and compete at a higher level.”

The sponsorship follows Hexaware’s association with the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket in the United States, which marked the company’s first association with franchise cricket.

The ETPL is being organized with Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association. The first season runs until September 20, 2026. The tournament began in the Netherlands and moves to Malahide in Dublin on September 9.

For more information, click here: https://www.etplofficial.com/teams/dg

About Hexaware

Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company. Every day, Hexawarians wake up with a singular purpose: to create smiles through great people and technology. With offices across the world, we empower enterprises worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed by partnering with them to build, transform, run, and optimize their technology and business processes. Learn more about Hexaware at https://hexaware.com.

 

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