1
: a characteristic manner or style of expression : diction
2
a
: a brief expression
especially
: catchphrase
b
: word
3
: a short musical thought typically two to four measures long closing with a cadence
4
: a word or group of words forming a syntactic constituent with a single grammatical function
an adverbial phrase
5
: a series of dance movements comprising a section of a pattern
phrased; phrasing
1
a
: to express in words or in appropriate or telling terms
b
: to designate by a descriptive word or phrase
2
: to divide into melodic phrases
Examples of phrase in a Sentence
Noun
Answer the questions in complete sentences, not phrases.
She used the phrase “I strongly believe” too many times in her speech.
Underline the key words or phrases in the paragraph.
To borrow a phrase from my mother, I spend too much time “watching the boob tube” and not enough time outside.
Verb
He phrased his version of the story in a way that made him look good.
The question was awkwardly phrased.
The singer phrased the music beautifully.
Recent Examples on the Web
Arkansas Online, 13 Jan. 2026
The actual phrase vagueposting has been around since 2011, but internet users’ usage of it has recently skyrocketed.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2026
Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Past statements or e-mails can be taken out of context, with dangerous results, so carefully phrase your statements in board meetings or in e-mails, — and avoid intemperate or sarcastic remarks.
—Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for phrase
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Noun
Whatever the truth of that claim, the phrase is inappropriately taken from a poem that is about a horror that cannot be compared to taxation.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Jan. 2026
The actual phrase vagueposting has been around since 2011, but internet users’ usage of it has recently skyrocketed.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
Past statements or e-mails can be taken out of context, with dangerous results, so carefully phrase your statements in board meetings or in e-mails — and avoid intemperate or sarcastic remarks.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Past statements or e-mails can be taken out of context, with dangerous results, so carefully phrase your statements in board meetings or in e-mails, — and avoid intemperate or sarcastic remarks.
—Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Cite this Entry
“Phrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phrase. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
phrase
1 of 2 noun1
: a brief expression
especially
: one commonly used
2
: a small unit of a musical passage usually several measures long
3
: a group of two or more words that express a single idea but do not form a complete sentence
"out the door" in "they ran out the door" is a phrase
phrasal
adjective
ˈfrā-zəl
phrasally
adverb
-zə-lē
phrase
2 of 2 verb
phrased; phrasing
1
: to express in words
2
: to divide into musical phrases
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