a common word, saying, name, or thing that is familiar to nearly everyone
household word in American English
noun
a familiar name, phrase, saying, etc.; byword
The advertising campaign is designed to make this new product a household word
Word origin
[1590–1600]This word is first recorded in the period 1590–1600. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: jolt, mission, tea, tube, volunteer
Examples of 'household word' in a sentence
household word
My agent told me, `This'll make your name a household word.
Wright, L R SLEEP WHILE I SING
Dromomania is hardly a household word or a new concept.
Globe and Mail (2003)
Like time-lapse films of flowers blooming, they zoomed from nobodies to household words.
Globe and Mail (2003)
To many television performers whose names were household words, he was something of a father confessor.