paper trail

noun

: documents (such as financial records) from which a person's actions may be traced or opinions learned

Examples of paper trail in a Sentence

They covered up the fraud and were careful not to leave a paper trail.
Recent Examples on the Web Cohen payment paper trail comes into focus Jurors for the first time had an opportunity to see and hear about all 34 business records that prosecutors claim were falsely filed -- the invoices, checks, and general ledger entries that cut to the core of the district attorney's case. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 6 May 2024 For a century, these deposit copies were little more than receipts in a copyright paper trail. Ben Sisario, New York Times, 2 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for paper trail 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paper trail.' 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

1935, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paper trail was in 1935

Dictionary Entries Near paper trail

Cite this Entry

“Paper trail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paper%20trail. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

paper trail

noun
: documents (as financial records or published materials) from which a person's actions may be traced or opinions learned
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!