In this case it isn't merely a word; it is a brand. NATO, radar, and laser aren't brands. NATO is an organization, like FBI. Radar and laser are technologies.

In this case it isn't merely a word; it is a brand. NATO, radar, and laser aren't brands. NATO is an organization, like FBI. Radar and laser are technologies. IBM and BMW, these are brands. Though I'm not sure that should make a difference for the definitions I'd say the following: * An acronym is an abbreviation. * Not every abbreviation is an acronym. Example: * FBI is an acronym and an abbreviation. * Feds is an abbreviation, but not an acronym.