SAND2002-2019 - Acronyms, Initialisms, and Abbreviations - Updated list for Sandia

Sep 4, 2026

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Updated list of common acronyms, initialisms, and abbreviations used at Sandia is compiled for electronic publication. The material explains differences between acronyms and initialisms, gives guidance on first-use expansion with the abbreviated form in parentheses, and covers general writing conventions. Included instructions address plural formation, usage of a/an with acronyms and initialisms, and capitalization rules, including cases where accepted acronyms become common nouns.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages171

Reading Time7 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Acronyms, Initialisms, and Abbreviations

Abstract

Definitions and Usage Guidance

General Writing Rules (Plurals, a/an, Capitalization)

List of Acronyms, Initialisms, and Abbreviations

SAND REPORT SAND2002-2019 Unlimited Release Printed July 2002 Acronyms, Initialisms, and Abbreviations Debbie Johnson, Compiler Prepared by Sandia National Laboratories Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 and Livermore, California 94550 Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC04-94AL85000 . Approved for public release; further dissemination unlimited. Issued by Sandia National Laboratories, operated for the United States Department of Energy by Sandia Corporation. NOTICE: This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government, nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, nor any of their contractors, subcontractors, or their employees, make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represent that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government, any agency thereof, or any of their contractors or subcontractors. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, any agency thereof, or any of their contractors. Printed in the United States of America. This report has been reproduced directly from the best available copy. Available to DOE and DOE contractors from U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information P.O. Box 62 Oak Ridge, TN 37831 Telephone: (865)576-8401 Facsimile: (865)576-5728 E-Mail: [reports@adonis.osti.gov](reports@adonis.osti.gov) Online ordering: [http://www.doe.gov/bridge](http://www.doe.gov/bridge) Available to the public from U.S. Department of Commerce National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Rd Springfield, VA 22161 Telephone: (800)553-6847 Facsimile: (703)605-6900 E-Mail: [orders@ntis.fedworld.gov](orders@ntis.fedworld.gov) Online order: [http://www.ntis.gov/ordering.htm](http://www.ntis.gov/ordering.htm) SAND2002-2019 Unlimited Release July 2002 Supersedes SAND89-0217 Printed April 1995 Acronyms, Initialisms, and Abbreviations Debbie Johnson, Compiler Creative Arts Department Sandia National Laboratories PO Box 5800 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-0619 Abstract This document contains an updated list of common acronyms, initialisms, and abbreviations used at Sandia. It will be published in an electronic format only. It can be retrieved from [HTTPS://wfsprod01.sandia.gov/groups/srn-uscitizens/documents/document/wfs048643.pdf](HTTPS://wfsprod01.sandia.gov/groups/srn-uscitizens/documents/document/wfs048643.pdf) Click on the “find” button in the Adobe Acrobat toolbar to search for a word or acronym. An alphabetical index is available in the Bookmarks screen to expedite searches. If readers of this document want to add an unclassified acronym or correct an existing one, please send an email [to](to CreativeArts@sandia.gov. All)[ ](to CreativeArts@sandia.gov. All)[CreativeArts@sandia.gov](to CreativeArts@sandia.gov. All)[. All](to CreativeArts@sandia.gov. All) changes will be reviewed by Classification prior to publication of a new version. An acronym is a combination of letters that can be pronounced as a word. An initialism is an unpronounceable combination of letters. General Avoid overwhelming your reader with acronyms and initialisms. An acronym is an abbreviation that is formed by combining the first letter or letters of several words. Acronyms are pronounced as words. Examples include: modem = modulator and demod

FAQs

What is the purpose of this document?

It provides an updated list of common acronyms, initialisms, and abbreviations used at Sandia, along with usage guidance for readers and authors.

How does the document distinguish an acronym from an initialism?

An acronym is pronounced as a word, while an initialism is pronounced as separate letters.

What should be done when using an acronym or initialism for the first time?

Write the full expanded phrase followed by the abbreviated form in parentheses; in a short report, one expanded version is sufficient.

Sep 4, 2026

Uploaded by Dipper