commentary
noun
com·men·tary
ˈkä-mən-ˌter-ē 
-ˌte-rē
plural commentaries
1
a
: an explanatory treatise
—usually used in plural
Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England
b
: a record of events usually written by a participant
—usually used in plural
Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War
2
a
: a systematic series of explanations or interpretations (as of a writing)
a commentary on Dante's Divine Comedy
b
3
a
: something that serves for illustration or explanation
The dark, airless apartments and sunless factories … are a sad commentary upon our civilization.—
Harry Allen Overstreet
Harry Allen Overstreet
b
: an expression of opinion
The magazine article is a commentary on cyberbullying.
Examples of commentary in a Sentence
The television show features political commentary by well-known journalists.
The magazine includes humor and social commentary.
The book is a commentary on her experiences abroad.
I like listening to his social commentaries.
He provided commentary during the game.
The major television stations provided running commentaries on the election results.
Recent Examples on the Web
And then there was all sorts of commentary on how the provision might be gamed.
—Peter J Reilly, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
His columns vary from social and political commentary to chapters in Chicago history.
—Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
Made of paper and plastic, the work is a continuation of Diana’s use of the piñata artistic technique and continues her commentary on women’s labor.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
The current Islanders are not aware of the online commentary about their physical appearance, criticism about their dating choices and behaviors in the villa, and campaigns for their elimination from the show.
—Taylor Crumpton, Time, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for commentary
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Peter J Reilly, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
His columns vary from social and political commentary to chapters in Chicago history.
—Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
Made of paper and plastic, the work is a continuation of Diana’s use of the piñata artistic technique and continues her commentary on women’s labor.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
The current Islanders are not aware of the online commentary about their physical appearance, criticism about their dating choices and behaviors in the villa, and campaigns for their elimination from the show.
—Taylor Crumpton, Time, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for commentary
Cite this Entry
“Commentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commentary. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
commentary
noun
com·men·tary
ˈkäm-ən-ˌter-ē
plural commentaries
: a series of comments or notes
also
: a book made up of such material
—usually used in plural
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