Definition of "acronym"

acronym

/ˈæk.ɹə.nɪm/

noun
plural acronyms
1. (linguistics) An abbreviation formed by the initial letters of other words, sometimes exclusively such abbreviations when pronounced as a word (as "laser") rather than as individual letters (initialisms such as "TNT").
  Quotations
  Pee-gee-enn. It's an acronym, that's what it is. That's what they call words made up of initials.
  1940, L. Feuchtwanger, translated by W. Muir et al., Paris Gazette, iii, xlvii, p. 518
  Some teachers festoon every spare inch of wall with vocabulary choices or maths techniques to use, which look great at first, but to some children might appear quite daunting. You'll probably see unfamiliar acronyms such as Walt (We Are Learning To). Be sure to ask what they stand for and how they are used in practice.
  2014 September 23, “Choosing a Primary School: A Teacher's Guide for Parents”, in The Guardian
2. (linguistics) An abbreviation formed by the beginning letters or syllables of other words (as "Benelux").
  Quotations
  Acronyms or telescoped names like nabisco from National Biscuit Company.
  1950, Simeon Potter, Our Language, page 163
verb
third-person singular simple present acronyms, present participle acronyming or acronymming, simple past and past participle acronymed or acronymmed
1. To form into an acronym.