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Cambridge Dictionary provides English definitions, examples, grammar labels, and available UK and US pronunciations, plus translations and paired examples for supported languages, reflecting details shown on its pages.

Define word

Get ordered meanings, examples, grammar labels, and available UK and US pronunciations for a word or phrase. Details not shown on Cambridge Dictionary are returned as null.

Your information

Word or phrase to define, for example "take over".

Choose British or American dictionary entries, for example "american".

1 credit per completed run

The same inputs also work from your code or an AI assistant. See For developers.

Example results

take (something) over

UK pronunciation

US pronunciation

Meanings

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About the Cambridge Dictionary tool

Define word takes a word or phrase and returns meanings, examples, grammar labels, and available UK and US pronunciations.

Translate word takes a word and target language, with an optional source language, returning meanings, translations, and available paired examples.

Built from dictionary.cambridge.org. Last checked Sep 29, 2026.

Actions

Define word

1 credit

Get ordered meanings, examples, grammar labels, and available UK and US pronunciations for a word or phrase. Details not shown on Cambridge Dictionary are returned as null.

What you provide

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
WordwordTextRequiredWord or phrase to define, for example "take over".Example: take over
DictionarydictionaryTextOptionalChoose British or American dictionary entries, for example "american".Example: British

What you get

FieldTypeDescription
HeadwordheadwordTextExample: take (something) over
MeaningsmeaningsList
Examplesmeanings[].examplesList
Definitionmeanings[].definitionTextExample: to start doing a job or being responsible for something that another person…
Guide Wordmeanings[].guide_wordTextExample: START DOING
English Levelmeanings[].english_levelTextExample: B2
Grammar Labelsmeanings[].grammar_labelsList
Part of Speechmeanings[].part_of_speechTextExample: phrasal verb
Page Linkpage_linkTextExample: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/take-over
Uk Pronunciationuk_pronunciationDetails
Ipauk_pronunciation.ipaTextPhonetic spelling in IPA, if shown.Example: teɪk
Audio Linkuk_pronunciation.audio_linkTextLink to the MP3 pronunciation, if shown.Example: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/media/english/uk_pron/u/ukt/uktaj/uktajik002.m…
Us Pronunciationus_pronunciationDetails
Ipaus_pronunciation.ipaTextPhonetic spelling in IPA, if shown.Example: teɪk
Audio Linkus_pronunciation.audio_linkTextLink to the MP3 pronunciation, if shown.Example: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/media/english/us_pron/t/tak/take_/take.mp3

Example result

For Word: take over, Dictionary: British

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"
  }
}

Translate word

1 credit

Translate a word between English and a Cambridge-supported language, with meanings, translations and available paired examples. Some examples have no translation on the source page.

What you provide

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
WordwordTextRequiredWord to translate, for example house.Example: Casa
To Languageto_languageTextRequiredTarget language name, for example Spanish.Example: English
From Languagefrom_languageTextOptionalSource language name, for example French. Defaults to English.Example: Spanish

What you get

FieldTypeDescription
WordwordTextThe word searched.Example: Casa
MeaningsmeaningsList
Examplesmeanings[].examplesList
Translationsmeanings[].translationsList
English Guidemeanings[].english_guideTextExample: House
Part of Speechmeanings[].part_of_speechTextExample: Noun
Page Linkpage_linkTextExample: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/spanish-english/casa
To Languageto_languageTextExample: English
From Languagefrom_languageTextExample: Spanish
Language Pairlanguage_pairTextExample: Spanish–English

Example result

For Word: Casa, To Language: English, From Language: Spanish

JSON
{
  "word": "casa",
  "meanings": [
    {
      "examples": [
        {
          "original": "casa de familia",
          "translated": "family home"
        }
      ],
      "translations": [
        "house",
        "home"
      ],
      "english_guide": "house",
      "part_of_speech": "noun"
    },
    {
      "examples": [
        {
          "original": "Entró como Pedro por su casa.",
          "translated": "He walked in like he owned the place."
        }
      ],
      "translations": [
        "like one owned the place"
      ],
      "english_guide": "like one owned the place",
      "part_of_speech": "noun"
    },
    {
      "examples": [
        {
          "original": "En su cumpleaños tiró la casa por la ventana .",
          "translated": "He splashed out on his birthday."
        }
      ],
      "translations": [
        "to splash out"
      ],
      "english_guide": "to splash out",
      "part_of_speech": "noun"
    }
  ],
  "page_link": "https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/spanish-english/casa",
  "to_language": "English",
  "from_language": "Spanish",
  "language_pair": "Spanish–English"
}

For developers

Call it from your code with one request. Change the values in input to run it on new data. To get an API key, open Developers at the bottom of Studio, turn on Developer mode and go to API keys.

cURL
curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 180 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@cambridge-dictionary",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "define_word",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "word": "take over",
    "dictionary": "british"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'

What you can do with it

  • Compare British and American word meanings
  • Find example sentences for vocabulary lessons
  • Check grammar labels and parts of speech
  • Review UK and US pronunciation guides
  • Translate vocabulary between English and supported languages

Questions about Cambridge Dictionary

Can I run it with my own inputs?

Yes. Change the inputs in Studio and press Run, or send new inputs from your code, or ask a connected AI assistant.

Can I call this Cambridge Dictionary tool as an API?

Yes. Send a POST request to /v1/query with your Fous API key and the inputs, and get JSON back.

How much does it cost?

Each completed run costs 1 credit. Failed runs without a completed receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted. With pay as you go, a credit costs 1¢. Monthly plans cost less per credit.

Do I need a Cambridge Dictionary account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from dictionary.cambridge.org when you run it. Some results are reused for up to 24 hours, and results that use your account or key are never reused. It was last verified on Sep 29, 2026.

What does a word or phrase mean?

Define word returns ordered meanings, definitions, examples, and grammar labels for the supplied word or phrase.

How is a word pronounced in the UK or US?

Define word returns available UK and US pronunciations, including phonetic spelling and audio links when shown.

How do I translate a word into another language?

Translate word returns meanings, translations, and available paired examples for the supplied word and target language.

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