Of or relating to an entire word or entire words, especially with regard to a method of teaching reading in which learners are taught to recognize entire words, as opposed to associating a letter or group of letters with a particular speech sound.
Origin
1930s.
Definition of whole-word in US English:
whole-word
adjective
Of or relating to an entire word or entire words, especially with regard to a method of teaching reading in which learners are taught to recognize entire words, as opposed to associating a letter or group of letters with a particular speech sound.