discussion and word share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. discussion means “an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic”. word means “a unit of language that native speakers can identify”. word is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/dɪˈskʌʃən/
1.n.an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
“the book contains an excellent discussion of modal logic”
2.n.an exchange of views on some topic
“we had a good discussion”
/ˈwɝd/
| discussion | word | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /dɪˈskʌʃən/ | /ˈwɝd/ |
| Said | di-SKUHSH-uhn | wurd |
| Syllables | 3 | 1 |
| Letters | 10 | 4 |
| Parts of speech | noun | noun, verb |
| Senses | 2 | 11 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | treatment, discourse | none recorded |
Full entry for discussion · Full entry for word · More comparisons
1.n.a unit of language that native speakers can identify
“words are the blocks from which sentences are made”
2.n.a brief statement
“he didn't say a word about it”
3.n.information about recent and important events
“they awaited news of the outcome”