Definition of acronyms:
(n) :
(linguistics) An abbreviation formed by the initial letters of other words.
(n) :
Generally such abbreviations, including those pronounced as individual letters (initialisms such as "TNT").
(n) :
Exclusively such abbreviations when pronounced as a word (as "laser" or "NATO").
(n) :
(linguistics) An abbreviation formed by the beginning letters or syllables of other words (as "Benelux").
(v) :
To form into an acronym.