punctuation

noun

punc·​tu·​a·​tion ˌpəŋk-chə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce punctuation (audio)
1
: the act of punctuating : the state of being punctuated
2
: the act or practice of inserting standardized marks or signs in written matter to clarify the meaning and separate structural units
also : a system of punctuation
3
: something that contrasts or accentuates

Examples of punctuation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web What insights will future historians be able to glean about the personal lives and the character of our leaders in 50 years based on a few surviving emails written in haste with poor grammar and punctuation? Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2024 An array of clanging chimes and banging cymbals add punctuation to Dre’s windy wonder – an album where every little nook, cranny and noise matters. A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023 The semi-enclosed roof adds some punctuation to the scene. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2023 Editor An editor is responsible for reading and making amendments to documents, ensuring spelling, punctuation and grammar are correct. Goldie Chan, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Copilot was also helpful in editing documents, often catching acronyms that should be spelled out, punctuation or conciseness, much like a beefed-up spell check. Danielle Abril, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024 For extra drama, black liner applied to the waterline provides punctuation. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2023 And special props to timpanist Michelle Humphreys for her precise and celebratory punctuation. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023 My literary tasks kept me fully occupied; my apprenticeship at the altar of technique, craft; the devilish intricacies of paragraphing, punctuation, dialogue placement. Truman Capote, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'punctuation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of punctuation was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near punctuation

Cite this Entry

“Punctuation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctuation. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

punctuation

noun
punc·​tu·​a·​tion ˌpəŋ(k)-chə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce punctuation (audio)
: the act, practice, or system of inserting punctuation marks in written matter to make the meaning clear and separate parts (as clauses or sentences)

More from Merriam-Webster on punctuation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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