An initialism is a type of abbreviation formed from the initial letters of a series of words. Unlike acronyms, which are pronounced as words, initialisms are pronounced letter by letter. For example, the term FBI stands for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and you would say each letter: "F-B-I." Initialisms are commonly used in everyday language, especially in fields like business, government, and technology. These abbreviations help simplify communication and make it easier to refer to long names or phrases. For instance, NASA represents the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, allowing people to discuss space exploration without saying the full name each time. Initialisms are a practical way to enhance clarity and efficiency in conversation.