Dictionaries Still Matter in Courtrooms—And in Classrooms

Dictionaries Still Matter in Courtrooms—And in Classrooms

In patent litigation, dictionaries continue to play a key role in interpreting legal language, especially during claim construction. Despite past skepticism after landmark cases like Phillips v. AWH Corp. and Teva v. Sandoz, courts still rely on dictionaries as neutral, reliable tools to define complex terms. They’re not just academic references—they’re instruments of legal precision.

This use of dictionaries in legal proceedings mirrors their foundational role in education. Projects like The Dictionary Project are rooted in the same principle: that understanding the meaning of words empowers people to think critically, communicate clearly, and participate more fully in society.

Whether helping a third grader decode the word “justice” or helping a federal judge determine a patent claim’s meaning, dictionaries are tools for lifelong literacy. Their presence in both courtrooms and classrooms underscores their enduring value.