Illustration of papyrus
- papyrus 1
papyrus
noun
pa·py·rus
pə-ˈpī-rəs 
plural papyri
pə-ˈpī-(ˌ)rē
-rī
or papyruses
1
: a tall perennial sedge (Cyperus papyrus) of the Nile valley
2
: the pith of the papyrus plant especially when made into strips and pressed into a material to write on
3
a
: a writing on papyrus
b
: a written scroll made of papyrus
He discovered a papyrus in the ruins.
Examples of papyrus in a Sentence
an ancient text written on papyrus
He discovered a papyrus in the ruins.
Recent Examples on the Web
Before that, archaeologists uncovered eight rare papyrus scrolls believed to contain writings not read in roughly 3,000 years.
—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
Their heroic labors produced the versions that, copied and recopied on papyrus and later on parchment, arrived at last at a printing press in Florence.
—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
Artifacts are from the Predynastic Period through the Greco-Roman era, including papyrus scrolls, textiles, sarcophagi, and mummified remains.
—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Pieces of papyrus or stone, with hieroglyphs sometimes incomplete, were recreated as a precious trio of clips, each with Fragment in their name.
—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for papyrus
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Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
Their heroic labors produced the versions that, copied and recopied on papyrus and later on parchment, arrived at last at a printing press in Florence.
—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
Artifacts are from the Predynastic Period through the Greco-Roman era, including papyrus scrolls, textiles, sarcophagi, and mummified remains.
—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Pieces of papyrus or stone, with hieroglyphs sometimes incomplete, were recreated as a precious trio of clips, each with Fragment in their name.
—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for papyrus
Cite this Entry
“Papyrus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papyrus. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
papyrus
noun
pa·py·rus
pə-ˈpī-rəs
plural papyri
-ˈpī(ə)r-ē
-ˌī
also papyruses
1
: a tall sedge of the Nile valley
2
: the soft central part of papyrus stems especially when made into strips and pressed into a writing material
3
: a writing on or written scroll of papyrus
Etymology
Middle English papyrus "papyrus," from Latin papyrus "papyrus, paper," from Greek papyros "papyrus" — related to paper
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