paperwork
noun
pa·per·work
ˈpā-pər-ˌwərk 
: routine clerical or recordkeeping work often incidental to a more important task
Examples of paperwork in a Sentence
She failed to file the paperwork on time.
The lawyer had us fill in the paperwork for the mortgage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Late Monday, Leland House ownership attorneys filed new paperwork asking the city to approve tenant asset removal procedures, which determine how and when residents can get their things.
—
Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
The group’s effort to form a new political party came after no political party filed the proper paperwork to allow independents to vote in party primaries.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice, 3 Mar. 2026
Poll watch Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democratic candidate for governor, waited in line to file paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 3 Mar. 2026
About $4 million of that would be steered toward County Medical Services, according to election paperwork filed by two county labor unions and a coalition of nonprofit leaders.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paperwork
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
The group’s effort to form a new political party came after no political party filed the proper paperwork to allow independents to vote in party primaries.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice, 3 Mar. 2026
Poll watch Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democratic candidate for governor, waited in line to file paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 3 Mar. 2026
About $4 million of that would be steered toward County Medical Services, according to election paperwork filed by two county labor unions and a coalition of nonprofit leaders.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paperwork
Cite this Entry
“Paperwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paperwork. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paperwork
noun
pa·per·work
-ˌwərk
: routine office or record-keeping work
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
