abbreviations and acronyms

When using an acronym or abbreviation, spell out the full name on first reference, followed by the acronym or abbreviation in parentheses: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or body mass index (BMI). The abbreviation is then acceptable on second and subsequent references.

It is not necessary to note the acronym in parentheses if there is only one reference within the piece unless the entity is better known by its acronym than its full name: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

If using an abbreviation in a headline, spell out the full text in the first few paragraphs.

To make abbreviations plural, add an “s” without apostrophe (CEOs, HMOs).