blotter

noun

blot·​ter ˈblä-tər How to pronounce blotter (audio)
1
: a piece of blotting paper
2
: a book in which entries (as of transactions or occurrences) are made temporarily pending their transfer to permanent record books
police blotter

Examples of blotter in a Sentence

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.
On top of it sat an ivory paper knife, pens and pencils in a jar, along with a blotter, a gooseneck lamp, and his bulky Dictaphone. Josh Ireland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026 Police blotter Additional details were unavailable from San Diego police. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 More like police blotter behavior. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Dec. 2025 Police ask that anyone with any information on Wallace’s shooting contact detectives at 617-343-4470 or through the CrimeStoppers tip line, whose details are included in the previous blotter entry. Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 5 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blotter

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blotter was in 1591

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blotter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blotter. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

blotter

noun
blot·​ter ˈblät-ər How to pronounce blotter (audio)
1
: a piece of blotting paper
2
: a book in which entries are made temporarily
a police blotter

Legal Definition

blotter

noun
blot·​ter

More from Merriam-Webster on blotter

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!

More from Merriam-Webster