Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 22, 2026, is the adjective "august." This word describes someone or something as having majestic dignity or grandeur. It is pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable, "gust." An example illustrates its use when referring to the august halls of an old mansion. Similarly, a speech delivered in the State Capitol's Assembly chamber can be described as taking place in an august backdrop. The origin of the word can be traced back to Roman history. The Roman calendar initially had ten months, with some named numerically. Later, January and February were added, altering the numerical significance of some months. The Roman Senate honored Emperor Octavian by renaming the month Sextilis to Augustus. This change was in recognition of Octavian, whose adopted name came from the Latin adjective "augustus." "Augustus" itself meant "worthy of honor" or "venerable." The English name for the eighth month, August, has been in use for centuries. The adjective "august," meaning majestic and grand, entered the English language in the late 1500s, mirroring the Latin usage.