Since 2000, Oxford University Press has been compiling the third edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, a comprehensive revision of the entire text. By 2018, approximately half of the work was complete. The third edition is expected to be published exclusively in electronic form, reflecting the shift towards digital publishing. This ongoing project represents the most ambitious revision of the OED since its inception and aims to bring the dictionary fully into the twenty-first century.

The ongoing revision of the OED ensures that the dictionary remains a vital resource for poets and writers, incorporating new words and meanings that reflect the evolving English language. The third edition's digital-first approach will make it even more accessible and searchable, enabling poets to engage with the language in new ways. The project also highlights the continuing importance of lexicography in the digital age.