lexicon
This term describes the total inventory of words available to a speaker or a language. It carries a more academic and structural tone than vocabulary, often implying a systematic organization of linguistic elements rather than just a list of known words.
When referring to a physical book, it specifically denotes a dictionary that focuses on the vocabulary of a particular language or a specialized field. In professional contexts, it refers to the jargon or technical terminology unique to a specific discipline, such as the legal or medical lexicon.
Meanings
The complete set of words and vocabulary used in a particular language.
The English lexicon is constantly evolving with new technological terms.
The specialized vocabulary of a particular field of study, profession, or social group.
Medical students must quickly master the complex lexicon of anatomy.
Examples
The English lexicon is constantly evolving with new technological terms.
Medical students must quickly master the complex lexicon of anatomy.
Psycholinguists study how the mental lexicon is organized for rapid retrieval.