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
Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Not all of them, in fairness, but when this many high-profile chief executives reach for the same playbook, the phrases stop sounding like coincidence.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Because Survivor 42 followed the same format with all the exact same twists from Survivor 41—Prisoner's Dilemma, goofy phrases, Hourglass twist, Shot in the Dark, Do or Die—along with many of the same challenges, the entire season often felt like a rerun.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for phrase
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
In season 5, contestant Kay Kay Gray turned the sign into a catch phrase after seeing footage of her partner in the area with another woman during Casa Amor.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Not all of them, in fairness, but when this many high-profile chief executives reach for the same playbook, the phrases stop sounding like coincidence.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Verb
Like many workplace phrases, its meaning depends on context, relationship and power.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Because Survivor 42 followed the same format with all the exact same twists from Survivor 41—Prisoner's Dilemma, goofy phrases, Hourglass twist, Shot in the Dark, Do or Die—along with many of the same challenges, the entire season often felt like a rerun.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 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 29 May. 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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