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.
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 Police blotter Additional details were unavailable from San Diego police. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025 Attempting to counter that message, the White House on Monday issued its version of a police blotter using local news headlines to back up its contention Chicago has a serious crime problem, including that Chicago has repeatedly had more annual homicides than New York City and Los Angeles. Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Blotter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blotter. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.

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
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