# Cambridge University Press API: Define word > Looks up a word or phrase on Cambridge Dictionary and returns its ordered meanings, example sentences, grammar labels and UK and US pronunciations. Unofficial. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press. - Page: https://fous.com/methods/dictionary.cambridge.org/define-word - Method: `dictionary.cambridge.org/define_word`, version 1 - Website: dictionary.cambridge.org - Returns: headword, meanings with examples and levels, UK and US pronunciation, page link - Effect: read (it gets data and changes nothing) - Sign-in: none needed - Cost: 1 credit per completed run (1¢ with pay as you go); failed runs are free - Verified: Nov 2, 2026 ## Inputs | Field | Type | Required | In the run below | Description | |---|---|---|---|---| | `word` | string | yes | `"take over"` | Word or phrase to define, for example "take over". | | `dictionary` | string | no | `"british"` | Choose British or American dictionary entries, for example "american". One of "british", "american". Default "british". | ## Output From a run on Oct 23, 2026. Its input: ```json { "word": "take over", "dictionary": "british" } ``` Its output: ```json { "headword": "take (something) over", "meanings": [ { "examples": [ "He took over from the previous headmaster in February.", "She took over as manager two weeks ago.", "Jason Lamb has taken over responsibility for this project." ], "definition": "to start doing a job or being responsible for something that another person did or had responsibility for before:", "guide_word": "START DOING", "english_level": "B2", "grammar_labels": [], "part_of_speech": "phrasal verb" }, { "examples": [ "The company he works for has recently been taken over." ], "definition": "to get control of a company by buying enough of the shares in it:", "guide_word": "GET CONTROL", "english_level": null, "grammar_labels": [], "part_of_speech": "phrasal verb" }, { "examples": [ "It's only a matter of time before they take over completely." ], "definition": "to become more successful or powerful than something or someone else that is involved in the same type of activity:", "guide_word": "BECOME MORE POWERFUL", "english_level": "C2", "grammar_labels": [], "part_of_speech": "phrasal verb" } ], "page_link": "https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/take-over", "uk_pronunciation": { "ipa": "teɪk", "audio_link": "https://dictionary.cambridge.org/media/english/uk_pron/u/ukt/uktaj/uktajik002.mp3" }, "us_pronunciation": { "ipa": "teɪk", "audio_link": "https://dictionary.cambridge.org/media/english/us_pron/t/tak/take_/take.mp3" } } ``` ## Run it From code, with a Fous API key in `FOUS_API_KEY`; the answer's `data` holds the output: ```bash curl https://api.fous.com/v1/runs \ -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"method":"dictionary.cambridge.org/define_word","input":{"word":"take over","dictionary":"british"}}' ``` From an AI agent connected to the Fous MCP server: its `run` with the same method and input. To connect one, give it `set up https://fous.com/SKILL.md`. ## Ask your agent - What does the word 'serendipity' mean and how is it pronounced in British and American English? - Give me the meanings and example sentences for 'take over' from the British dictionary. - I need the American English pronunciation and grammar labels for 'ubiquitous' on cambridge.org. - Look up the phrase 'break the ice' and show its meanings ordered by frequency, with the B1 or C1 level for each sense. - Find the definition of 'resilient' in the American dictionary and give me a link to the page. ## Input schema ```json { "type": "object", "required": [ "word" ], "properties": { "word": { "type": "string", "minLength": 1, "description": "Word or phrase to define, for example \"take over\"." }, "dictionary": { "enum": [ "british", "american" ], "type": "string", "default": "british", "description": "Choose British or American dictionary entries, for example \"american\"." } }, "additionalProperties": false } ``` ## Output schema ```json { "type": "object", "required": [ "headword", "meanings", "uk_pronunciation", "us_pronunciation", "page_link" ], "properties": { "headword": { "type": "string" }, "meanings": { "type": "array", "items": { "type": "object", "required": [ "part_of_speech", "guide_word", "definition", "english_level", "grammar_labels", "examples" ], "properties": { "examples": { "type": "array", "items": { "type": "string" }, "maxItems": 3 }, "definition": { "type": "string" }, "guide_word": { "type": [ "string", "null" ] }, "english_level": { "type": [ "string", "null" ] }, "grammar_labels": { "type": "array", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "part_of_speech": { "type": [ "string", "null" ] } }, "additionalProperties": false } }, "page_link": { "type": "string" }, "uk_pronunciation": { "type": "object", "required": [ "ipa", "audio_link" ], "properties": { "ipa": { "type": [ "string", "null" ], "description": "Phonetic spelling in IPA, if shown." }, "audio_link": { "type": [ "string", "null" ], "description": "Link to the MP3 pronunciation, if shown." } }, "additionalProperties": false }, "us_pronunciation": { "type": "object", "required": [ "ipa", "audio_link" ], "properties": { "ipa": { "type": [ "string", "null" ], "description": "Phonetic spelling in IPA, if shown." }, "audio_link": { "type": [ "string", "null" ], "description": "Link to the MP3 pronunciation, if shown." } }, "additionalProperties": false } }, "additionalProperties": false } ``` ## See more - [Cambridge University Press API: Translate word](https://fous.com/methods/dictionary.cambridge.org/translate-word.md): Translates a word between English and a language Cambridge supports. Returns the meanings, the translations and any paired examples. - [Dictionary.com API: Define word](https://fous.com/methods/dictionary.com/define-word.md): Looks up an English word on Dictionary.com and returns its pronunciation, audio link, numbered definitions per dialect with examples, word origin and first recorded use. - [Merriam-Webster API: Define word](https://fous.com/methods/merriam-webster.com/define-word.md): Looks up a word or phrase in Merriam-Webster's dictionary and returns its pronunciation, definitions, examples and word history. - [Dictionary.com API: Get synonyms](https://fous.com/methods/dictionary.com/get-synonyms.md): Gets a word's Thesaurus.com meanings in site order, with part of speech, short meaning, synonyms and antonyms ranked strongest, strong or weak. - [Merriam-Webster API: Get synonyms](https://fous.com/methods/merriam-webster.com/get-synonyms.md): Looks up a word on its public Merriam-Webster thesaurus page and returns each meaning with its example, synonyms, antonyms and related words. - [Merriam-Webster API: Get Merriam-Webster Word of the Day](https://fous.com/methods/merriam-webster.com/get-word-of-the-day.md): Gets Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for today or a past archive date, with its meaning, example, pronunciation and background note. Dates without a published entry are unavailable. - [WordReference API: Translate word](https://fous.com/methods/wordreference.com/translate-word.md): Translates a word or phrase between languages using WordReference, including usage notes, example sentences and compound forms when shown. Only language pairs listed by WordReference are available. - [Investopedia API: Define finance term](https://fous.com/methods/investopedia.com/define-term.md): Explains a finance, business, or investing term using its Investopedia dictionary article. - [All Cambridge University Press methods](https://fous.com/methods/cambridge.org.md)