Orkut, Facebook and now Twitter in the year 2009. Twitter had an enormous year with millions of new users and a great following all over the globe.

According to Global Language Monitor, which examines language usage across the world, "Twitter" beat out "Obama," "H1N1," "stimulus," and "vampire" to take the top spot.

"In a year dominated by world-shaking political events, a pandemic, the aftereffects of a financial tsunami, and the death of a revered pop icon, the word 'Twitter' stands above all the other words," Paul JJ Payack, president of Global Language Monitor, said on Sunday in a statement. "Twitter represents a new form of social interaction, where all communication is reduced to 140 characters."

Global Language Monitor compiles it data by the use of its proprietary algorithm, called the Predictive Quantities Indicator. According to the company, the algorithm "tracks words and phrases in the media and on the Internet." It also monitors blogs and social media. Word frequency, contextual usage, and "appearance in global media outlets" contribute to a word's popularity.