The Word of the Day

Sample from seasons 39, 40, and 41

The Word of the Day has been a recurring Sesame Street feature since the 38th season. The segment highlights a particular word introduced before the show with What's the Word on the Street? The standard format for every segment was established by Season 39, in that Muppet characters (usually Elmo) would accompany celebrities in explaining or demonstrating the word.

Originally, the segments were filmed at the stations and sets the celebrities act on, with a small number taped at the Sesame studios. Starting in season 39, the crew and puppeteers spend a week in Los Angeles filming the segments.

Segments

Season 38
Image	Word / First Appearance	Description
	Squid Episode 4135	Brian Williams reports on the word "squid."
	Newspaper Episode 4136	Matt Lauer demonstrates how to use a newspaper. His favorite thing to do is make hats.
	Dog Episode 4137	Conan O'Brien introduces and dramatizes different varieties of dogs.
	Lazy Episode 4138	Richard Belzer tries to explain the word "lazy," but he's too lazy to do it.
	Pumpernickel Episode 4139	Rachael Ray talks about the word "pumpernickel" and what it is.
	Ballet Episode 4140	Ellen DeGeneres talks about ballet and, donning a tutu, demonstrates the dance.
	Tricycle Episode 4141	Alec Baldwin explains what a tricycle is before riding one himself.
	Disappear Episode 4142	Chris Brown demonstrates the word "disappear."
	Ticklish Episode 4143	Howie Mandel is tickled by the word "ticklish."
	Frustrated Episode 4144	Kelly Ripa becomes frustrated trying to find a paper she wrote explaining the word's meaning.
	Prepared Episode 4145	Chad Pennington demonstrates what it means to be prepared.
	Family Episode 4146	Al Roker displays photos of his family.
	Mystery Episode 4147	Mariska Hargitay explains what a mystery is.
	Mail Episode 4148	Christopher Meloni displays a piece of his mail.
	Predicament Episode 4149	Charles Gibson is in a predicament: where are his glasses?
	Windy Episode 4150	Gina demonstrates what it's like when it gets windy.
	Apology Episode 4151	Ann Curry apologizes for not knowing how to explain what an apology is.
	Gigantic Episode 4152	Ahmad Rashād loves the word "gigantic."
	Rhyme Episode 4153	Ice T loves words that rhyme.
	Amazing Episode 4154	Rachael Ray thinks a tap-dancing tomato is amazing.
	Expert Episode 4155	Diane Sawyer is an expert at blowing bubbles.
	Practice Episode 4156	Jon Stewart needs practice at reading the word of the day.
	Pretend Episode 4157	Meredith Vieira likes to pretend to be a train.
	Sigh Episode 4158	Sarah Jessica Parker loves to sigh.
	Angry Episode 4159	Cuba Gooding, Jr. gets angry when the pesky word won't stay in place for him to talk about it.
	Struggle Episode 4160	It's a struggle for Tyra Banks to put on her sweater.
Season 39
	Octagon Episode 4161	Jack Black tries to look for an octagon, when Elmo shows him a STOP sign.
	Pirouette Episode 4162	Grover demonstrates a pirouette, with the help of Lorena and Lorna Feijóo.
	Compliment Episode 4164	Heidi Klum and Elmo (and Elmo's shoe) give each other compliments to demonstrate the word.
	Insect Episode 4165	Jenny McCarthy tells the viewer what an insect is, and pretends to be some, attracting a bee.
	Toss Episode 4167	Jason Taylor and Elmo demonstrate the word "toss."
	Persistent Episode 4168	David Beckham explains the word "persistent" while Elmo repeatedly asks to play soccer with him.
	Unanimous Episode 4169	LL Cool J, Elmo and Abby Cadabby try to show "unanimous" by agreeing to go to somewhere, but Oscar intervenes and disagrees with them, making it not unanimous. They turn the tables on him by all agreeing to not go anywhere too, and then when Oscar changes his mind, they agree with him again.
	Glockenspiel Episode 4171	Randy Jackson plays the glockenspiel with a dog.
	Half Episode 4172	Chandra Wilson and Murray Monster break things in half, including food, paper and a chair!
	Disguise Episode 4173	Jack Black wears various disguises to fool Elmo, but he sees through them each time, until he meets a chicken with Jack’s facial hair.
	Curly Episode 4174	Neil Patrick Harris and Elmo show things that are curly.
	Stuck Episode 4176	Patrick Warburton has a chicken stuck in his shirt.
	Mustache Episode 4180	Jonah Hill shows Elmo his mustache.
	Distract Episode 4182	Megan Mullally tries to talk about the word "distract," but is distracted by a pig on a pogo stick, a singing stalk of broccoli and a dancing chicken.
	Scrumptious Episode 4184	Jessica Alba thinks a pizza, fruit salad and even a talking cake are scrumptious.
	Fabulous Episode 4186	Kim Cattrall thinks a fairy with flapping wings that sparkle, a blues-singing shoe and a dancing robot are fabulous!
Season 40
	Habitat Episode 4187	Cameron Diaz and some woodland animals describe a habitat.
	Pair Episode 4188	Sarah Jessica Parker and Elmo explain what a pair is.
	Pollinate Episode 4189	Nancy O'Dell has a flower friend to help explain what pollinate means, but the flower has no idea what it means. A bee buzzing by to do his job helps out.
	Nature Episode 4190	Debra Messing identifies the various parts of nature.
	Season Episode 4191	Adrian Grenier and Elmo use The Season-Bot 3000 to help explain the word "season."
	Quest Episode 4192	Tiki Barber goes on a quest looking for a definition of quest, asking Oscar, Grover and Cookie Monster.
	Hibernate Episode 4193	Meredith Vieira talks about the word "hibernate," waking up some animals trying to do so.
	Surprise Episode 4194	Maggie Gyllenhaal explains the word "surprise" and is surprised by Elmo, Zoe, Rosita, Grover, Telly and Abby.
	Brilliant Episode 4195	Paul Rudd and Grover explain what brilliant means.
	Machine Episode 4196	Greg Kinnear tries to explain the word "machine," but cannot figure out how. A real-live machine arrives to aid him.
	Crunchy Episode 4197	Adam Sandler tries to explain the word "crunchy," but finds it hard while Cookie Monster munches on a crunchy cookie.
	Garden Episode 4198	While Jennie Garth describes what a garden is made of, Abby Cadabby makes them appear.
	Camouflage Episode 4199	Elisabeth Hasselbeck wants to explain what camouflage means, but she can't find her frog assistant. She discovers he has been camouflaged the whole time.
	Separate Episode 4200	Jake Gyllenhaal separates an octopus from his head.
	Metamorphosis Episode 4201	Patricia Arquette and Abby explain what metamorphosis means. Abby visually demonstrates this by turning Patricia into a penguin.
	Canteen Episode 4202	Abby Cadabby tries helping Cedric the Entertainer show what a canteen is by making one appear, but instead conjures up a hose, a fish tank and a bucket. Exhausted, she takes a drink from her own canteen.
	Speedy Episode 4203	Brendan Fraser talks about the word "speedy" as he watches Grover run around fast, looking for a restroom.
	Stumble Episode 4204	Ricky Gervais explains what a stumble is, with Grover providing an accidental visual demonstration.
	Inspect Episode 4205	Jimmy Fallon and Elmo inspect each other and the viewer.
	Bones Episode 4206	Matthew Fox explains to Elmo what bones are and displays a "funny bone."
	Miniature Episode 4207	Abby Cadabby helps Kobe Bryant show what miniature means by making miniature copies of a book, painting, hot dog and even himself!
	Booth Episode 4208	Christina Applegate and Elmo introduce the word "booth" and name the different kinds of booths.
	Concentrate Episode 4209	Hugh Jackman and Elmo explain how they concentrate.
	Spectacular Episode 4210	Judah Friedlander describes the word "spectacular," which happens to be on his hat. Telly comes by and thinks his hat is spectacular, earning him a chance to wear it.
	Humongous Episode 4211	Debi Mazar looks for something humongous and a large dragon arrives to help.
	Exquisite Episode 4212	Eva Longoria and Elmo showcase things they find exquisite.
Season 41
	Challenge Episode 4213	Amy Poehler tries to show what a challenge is by attempting to lift a cow in the air and spin it on her finger. When she can't do that, she tries the "Pat Your Head and Rub Your Tummy Challenge."
	Journal Episode 4214	Wanda Sykes explains what a journal is. She shows Elmo her own journal, who starts to reveal her private entries himself.
	Comfort Episode 4215	Jason Bateman tries to comfort someone to help explain the word's meaning, but no passing animal needs his help. Elmo finds Jason sad and comforts him himself.
	Cling Episode 4216	A group of animals cling to Jude Law.
	Pasta Episode 4217	Kara DioGuardi and Chef Elmo show the various kinds of pasta.
	Activate Episode 4218	Chris O'Donnell tries to activate a robot, but keeps hitting the wrong remote button, instead activating the music, alarms and sprinklers.
	Investigate Episode 4219	Colin Farrell and Elmo don't know what the word of the day is and investigate to find out. They are led to a big orange guy with lots of fur, who always knows the word.
	Appetite Episode 4220	Reggie Bush explains what appetite means, when two monsters appear with a strong hunger for his food.
	Binoculars Episode 4221	Julie Bowen and Elmo show what binoculars are.
	Float Episode 4222	Abby Cadabby aids Natalie Morales in showing what float means by making a pumpkin appear (so it can float on water), then making them both float.
	Allergic Episode 4223	Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel try to explain what allergic means, but their animal assistants cause them to break out.
	Hexagon Episode 4224	Abby helps Ty Burrell show what a hexagon is, but conjures up a circle and triangle, before finally turning Ty into a hexagon.
	Accessory Episode 4225	Abby helps Rebecca Romijn show what accessories are by using magic, but gives her more than she needs. "You can never have too many accessories," Abby states.
	Arachnid Episode 4226	Jim Parsons has been called upon to talk about the word "arachnid," but has no idea what the word means. He gets chased by a spider trying to help.
	Incognito Episode 4227	Terrence Howard shows Elmo what incognito means, with visual aids from some disguised animals. Terrence then disguises himself as a certain red monster.
	Recipe Episode 4228	Alton Brown shows Abby what a recipe is and has her help him with one. She conjures up some music, balloons and friends; a recipe for fun!
	Galoshes Episode 4229	Jennifer Garner and Abby show what galoshes are.
	Identical Episode 4231	Sherri Shepherd and Abby show what identical means.
	Healthy Episode 4232	Ellen Pompeo and Elmo explain ways to get yourself healthy.
	Reporter Episode 4233	Elmo becomes a reporter to help Samantha Harris explain the word, but there's nothing to report on. So, Samantha cooks up a story for him.
	Gem Episode 4234	Elmo and Anna Faris try to talk about the word "gem," but are constantly interrupted by a prince, presenting "the gorgeous Honey-Bunny Ms. Anna" with various jewels.
	Celebration Episode 4235	LaDainian Tomlinson and Elmo explain what a celebration is.
	Volunteer Episode 4236	Usher shows Elmo different ways to volunteer as they see some animals help Luis and Susan.
	Dozen Episode 4237	Rachel Griffiths shows things in a dozen, including eggs, a tray of bagels and some singing penguins.
	Transportation Episode 4238	Zoe Saldana and Elmo pretend to be various types of transportation.
Season 42
	Engineer Episode 4257	James Marsden and Elmo engineer a spaghetti-serving device.
	Experiment Episode 4258	To demonstrate the word "experiment," Elmo and Craig Ferguson see how many chickens is takes to lift Craig.
	Liquid Episode 4259	George Lopez, Abby and Elmo provide visual aids of liquids.
	Observe Episode 4260	Jerry O'Connell observes a pie Murray has baked and discovers he's used pepper instead of sugar.
	Transform Episode 4261	Johnny Galecki and Abby explain what transform means by having Abby transform their pumpkin into a coach. The pumpkin doesn't transform, but Johnny is turned into a pumpkin.
	Baile Episode 4262	Sofía Vergara and Elmo explain what baile means.
	Fragile Episode 4263	Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Cookie Monster demonstrate the word "fragile" using Tyler's nana's cookie jar. Cookie over-eagerness causes Jesse to drop it.
	Exchange Episode 4264	Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber and Elmo exchange items and kisses.
	Include Episode 4265	Mila Kunis and Elmo show the word "include" when some dancing sheep include them in their dance.
	Empathy Episode 4266	Mark Ruffalo tells Murray some sad stories to help him understand the word "empathy."
	Embarrassed Episode 4267	Embarrassing things happen to Seth Rogen when he and Elmo try to explain the word.
	Fascinating Episode 4268	Abby introduces Michelle Monaghan to some of her "fascinating" fairy-tale friends.
	Sibling Episode 4269	Abby helps Jimmy Kimmel show what a sibling is, calling upon Hansel and Gretel, the Three Little Pigs, and poofing in Jimmy's own siblings "Timmy" and "Kimmy".
	Compare Episode 4270	Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony "compare" their basketball skills with Grover.
	Ingredient Episode 4271	Amy Adams and Elmo explain the word "ingredient."
	Balance Episode 4272	Emma Stone tries to show the word balance by balancing things on her head, but is unsuccessful. Abby provides some magical help.
	Amphibian Episode 4273	Conan O'Brien talks about the word "amphibian," but hasn't brought any visual aids. Abby magically conjures up a toad and newt, before turning Conan into a frog. She changes him back, but finds a few side effects.
	Measure Episode 4274	Drew Brees measures how tall Elmo is by using various items, including a ruler, a potato, and a talking football.
	Stubborn Episode 4275	Nicole Kidman and Oscar are going to explain the word "stubborn," but Oscar refuses to help, thus providing an example for her.
	Soggy Episode 4276	Murray Monster tries to provide John Krasinski with soggy items, but he brings a dry sock and sponge. Murray then brings in an elephant, who provides some water (all over John).
	Deciduous Episode 4277	Elmo asks Ken Jeong to ask a nearby tree if it's deciduous. It drops its leaves in response.
	Senses Episode 4278	Maria Menounos talks about the senses, while Oscar tries to get rid of her by giving her Grouchy things to use her senses with.
	Prickly Episode 4279	Some "prickly" characters aid Joel McHale explain the word.
	Conflict Episode 4280	Robin Williams wants the Two-Headed Monster to demonstrate conflict, but they (ironically) get along.
	Magnify Episode 4281	Rico Rodriguez and Elmo demonstrate what "magnify" means.
	Stupendous Episode 4282	Gustavo Dudamel conducts some "stupendous" animal musical acts to show Elmo what the word means.
Season 43
	Nibble Episode 4301	Elmo brings Halle Berry some animals to nibble on her snacks. The bird and fish take large bites, while the ferocious tiger takes a tiny bite.
	Champion Episode 4302	Abby Cadabby magically pulls Blake Griffin from his basketball game to talk about the word "champion." He faces against a chicken to be the chicken-call champion.
	Remember Episode 4303	Abby and Eric Stonestreet explain the word "remember" as Eric remembers a list - "A loaf of bread, container of milk and a stick of butter," who turn out to be his friends.
	Careful Episode 4304	Casey Affleck and Murray explain what "careful" means while building a block tower.
	Patience Episode 4305	Zac Efron talks about the word "patience" while Elmo waits for him to finish so they can play basketball. They both end up waiting when the ball steps out for some air.
	Grimace Episode 4306	Ed Helms shows what a grimace is, with a grimace expert judging them.
	Career Episode 4307	Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor explains to Abby what a "career" is, explaining that "princess" isn't one. Abby decides to be a justice like her.
	Tool Episode 4308	Jay Mohr learns about the different types of tools.
	Proud Episode 4309	Abby introduces Timothy Olyphant to her fairy tale friends (Hansel and Gretel, Humpty Dumpty and the Big Bad Wolf) who illustrate what proud means.
	Veterinarian Episode 4310	Wendy Williams and her dog explain what a veterinarian is with the help of some ailing animals.
	Vote Episode 4311	Steve Carell, Abby and Elmo take a vote on what snack they should have - cheese or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. When a third, pizza-party candidate enters the race, they all pick her.
	Brainstorm Episode 4313	Maya Rudolph and Elmo brainstorm ways to explain the word.
	Paleontologist Episode 4314	Amy Ryan and Elmo explain what a paleontologist does and meet a real life dinosaur.
	Splatter Episode 4316	Abby will help Kristen Bell show splatter by using a splatter spell on Elmo, but unknowingly does it on Kristin's clean blouse.
	Amplify Episode 4317	Abby helps Dax Shepard show "amplify."
	Reinforce Episode 4318	Joseph Gordon-Levitt reinforces his watch so it remains undamaged when Murray brings the hammer down.
	Innovation Episode 4319	Elmo comes up with some innovations to help Paula Patton explain the word. He first invents a "Word-O-Pad" that displays the word, then a Word-O-Bot, and finally makes himself into a robot that sings and dances.
	Choreographer Episode 4321	Elmo introduces Melissa McCarthy to a penguin choreographer.
	Attach Episode 4322	Matt Kemp and Abby show "attach" using a sticker book and sippy cup. Abby wants to magically attach some numbers to his jersey, but instead attaches some stickers, sippy cups and even herself.
	Subtraction Episode 4323	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shows Big Bird subtraction with four birds who are specially trained to subtract themselves when they hear the word.
	Inflate Episode 4324	Don Cheadle and Elmo show things one can inflate, including Herbie - Elmo's inflatable friend.
	Sculpture Episode 4325	Elmo is busy making a visual aid for Jon Hamm's explanation on what a sculpture is, so he finds various ones of different materials (and increasing weights). Just before Jon gets a hernia, Elmo finishes his sculpture - a likeness of himself, which thanks Jon for his compliment.
	Vibrate Episode 4326	Kellan Lutz shows Cookie Monster things that vibrate, though he would rather go out for cookies. Kellan pulls out his cell phone, which Cookie devours; it soon vibrates from within him.
Season 44 Note: Kevin Clash performs Elmo in segments featured in episodes 4401, 4403 and 4417 (which were taped during production for season 43). In other segments throughout this season, Ryan Dillon plays Elmo.
	Jealous Episode 4401	Abby and Charlize Theron talk about the word "jealous," a feeling Charlize claims to have never felt before. Soon, she becomes jealous of Abby's wings. Abby magically gives her some, and now Elmo becomes jealous of Charlize's wings!
	Respect Episode 4402	Henry Cavill and Elmo teach the Big Bad Wolf what respect means and ask him to give some to the Three Little Pigs.
	Fragrance Episode 4403	Elmo and Troy Polamalu look for something with a pleasant fragrance. They smell a stinky skunk, onion and sweatsock before Elmo catches the pleasant aroma of Troy's conditioner.
	Sturdy Episode 4404	John Cho has Abby conjure up things that are sturdy, including a ladder, chair and rope that binds John.
	Relax Episode 4405	Lena Headey talks about the word "relax" with an energetic Murray.
	Robot Episode 4406	Grover tries to get his robot to help Kunal Nayyar talk about the word "robot."
	Texture Episode 4407	Abby helps demonstrate the word "texture" by magically changing Josh Gad into different textural outfits.
	Author Episode 4408	Lauren Graham and Grover demonstrate what an "author" is by writing a short story about a dill pickle.
	Furious Episode 4409	Jesse Williams and Elmo meet an easily furious fly named Felix.
	Imposter Episode 4411	Hank Azaria demonstrates what an "impostor" is by impersonating Cookie Monster, Grover and even Elmo.
	Courteous Episode 4412	Grover tries to show the word "courteous" with Cobie Smulders. Despite not knowing the word, Grover inadvertently demonstrates courtesy by politely asking Cobie to show what it means.
	Strategy Episode 4414	Dwight Howard and Elmo talk about the word "strategy." When a tiger takes Dwight's basketball and starts gnawing on it, the two of them have to think of a strategy to get it back.
	Translate Episode 4415	Benjamin Bratt demonstrates the word "translate" with Elmo, a French-speaking cheese, and a hungry tiger who communicates in roars.
	Disappointed Episode 4417	Elmo and Sarah Michelle Gellar talk about "disappointed." Sarah tries to help further demonstrate the word, but an Anything Muppet worker brings an unfinished disappointed sign, and she gets a chicken instead of cheerleaders. Both predicaments leave Sarah feeling disappointed.
	Adventure Episode 4418	Ginnifer Goodwin and Abby imagine several adventurous scenarios and encounter a real dinosaur who wants to play tag.
	Unique Episode 4419	Bert shows one of his "unique" paperclips and a prized seltzer bottlecap. However, Usher doesn't think they're as unique as a sombrero wearing shrimp on a pogostick, or a cabbage driving a taxi cab. In the end, Usher and Bert demonstrate the word by showing off their one-of-a-kind dance moves.
	Cheer Episode 4420	Billy Gardell explains what "cheer" means while Elmo and Abby, who are dressed as cheerleaders, demonstrate. Abby poofs Billy a cheerleading outfit of his own so they can all cheer for the word "cheer."
	Confidence Episode 4421	Evan Lysacek and Elmo encourage a nervous Stinky the Stinkweed, ultimately giving him the confidence he needs to explain the word "confidence."
	Athlete Episode 4423	Albert Pujols and Grover talk about the word "athlete." Grover tries to show how great an athlete he is, but fumbles in every sport. He doesn't realize Albert himself is an athlete.
	Plan Episode 4424	Rutina Wesley, Abby and Elmo come up with a "plan" to explain the word.
	Imagination Episode 4425	Forest Whitaker shows "imagination" by pretending a stick is various things, while Count von Count counts the different things he does.
	Absorb Episode 4426	Anna Kendrick demonstrates "absorb" with Elmo, Abby and Murray; using a sponge, paper towels and Murray's furry fingers to absorb water.
Season 45
	Strenuous Episode 4501	Wendi McLendon-Covey shows what "strenuous" means by running, lifting a boulder, and playing tug-of-war with a small but very strong chicken.
	Repair Episode 4502	Kat Dennings and Abby "repair" the visual aid of the word when it falls over and breaks.
	Skin Episode 4503	Lupita Nyong'o and Elmo talk about their skin.
	Flexible Episode 4504	Zachary Quinto and Grover demonstrate the word "flexible" by having flexible frames of mind and bending some objects, including their own legs.
	Enthusiastic Episode 4505	Elmo is "enthusiastic" about helping Mindy Kaling explain the word. Mindy is enthusiastic about dancing, but even more so about dancing with chickens. The chickens, however, prefer to jump.
	Fiesta Episode 4506	Viola Davis gives Elmo some festive clues as to what the Spanish word "fiesta" means.
	Diagram Episode 4507	Claire Danes and Cookie Monster show off a diagram of a car, then of a cookie, which Cookie Monster naturally devours.
	Ridiculous Episode 4508	Grover puts Aziz Ansari in "ridiculous" situations and outfits to help explain the word.
	Astounding Episode 4509	Ice Cube shows Elmo some "astounding" magic tricks; like making a penny disappear, pulling a baby dinosaur out of a hat, and turning himself into a literal ice cube.
	Coach Episode 4510	Pau Gasol and Abby show what a coach is.
	Popular Episode 4511	Andy Cohen and Elmo talk about the word "popular."
	Empty Episode 4512	Jonah Hill demonstrates "empty" with Murray and some wild animals.
	Resist Episode 4513	Ian McKellen and Cookie Monster explain the word "resist."
	Awful Episode 4514	Adam Scott and Murray Monster talk about the word "awful."
	Anxious Episode 4515	Zach Braff and Telly talk about the word "anxious."
	Pattern Episode 4516	Craig Robinson and Elmo show what a "pattern" is.
	Grouchy Episode 4517	Bill Hader, Murray and Elmo show what "grouchy" is.
	Friend Episode 4518	Brittany Snow, Elmo and an array of animals talk about what a "friend" is.
	Divide Episode 4519	Nia Long and Abby show how to divide.
	Artist Episode 4520	Terry Crews, Abby and The Count show what an artist is.
	Greeting Episode 4521	Seth Meyers and The Count explain what a "greeting" is.
	Nimble Episode 4522	Zach Galifianakis and Murray talk about the word "nimble."
	Applause Episode 4523	Zachary Levi teaches Elmo the meaning of "applause" by showing some applause-worthy acts, including a tap-dancing tomato and a fire-breathing chicken.
	Technology Episode 4524	Christina Hendricks and Elmo introduce the word "technology."
	Focus Episode 4525	Emmy Rossum and Abby explain the word "focus."
	Explore Episode 4526	Emily Blunt and Elmo explain the word "explore."