Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 30, 2025, is protocol. Protocol primarily describes a set of rules for correct conduct in formal situations. In computing, it refers to rules for formatting data. It can also denote a plan for a scientific experiment or medical treatment. Furthermore, protocol signifies a document detailing a diplomatic treaty. The word's origin traces back to Late Greek, where "prōtokollon" meant the first sheet of a papyrus roll. This initial sheet documented the date of manufacture and sometimes described the manuscript's contents. The Greek roots indicate "first" and "to glue together." Early English usage in the 15th century referred to records of documents or transactions. By the 18th century, it applied to minutes of diplomatic negotiations and the etiquette of heads of state. This meaning has broadened to encompass any established code of proper conduct.