paperwork

noun

pa·​per·​work ˈpā-pər-ˌwərk How to pronounce paperwork (audio)
: 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
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.
The paperwork is being filled out now to certify the halibut as a world-record in the International Game Fish’s youth category (age 16 and under). Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025 An Arkansas program started in 2018 and stopped by federal courts cut more than 18,000 residents from Medicaid within the first seven months, often because people were unaware of paperwork requirements to keep their coverage. Chris Kenning, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 Most people were unable to switch insurance midyear and faced the choice of paying higher prices upfront, delaying care, finding new providers, or running a paperwork gauntlet in hopes their medical conditions qualified for a 90-day coverage extension. Bram Sable-Smith, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025 Learning in 2018 that no one had actually obtained the band’s trademark of itself, the guitarist had his team complete the paperwork. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for paperwork

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paperwork was in 1899

Cite this Entry

“Paperwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paperwork. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

paperwork

noun
pa·​per·​work -ˌwərk How to pronounce paperwork (audio)
: routine office or record-keeping work

More from Merriam-Webster on paperwork

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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