Definition of emphasis
emphases
play \ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsēz\1a : force or intensity of expression that gives impressiveness or importance to somethingb : a particular prominence given in reading or speaking to one or more words or syllables
2 : special consideration of or stress or insistence on something
From the M-W Editors
Examples of emphasis in a Sentence
Our candidate's plan has a different emphasis.
a prep school with a long-established emphasis on sports
Recent Examples of emphasis from the Web
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Surely DeBord, who has coached tight ends and offensive line at several stops in his career, will want a heavy emphasis on a position group that can help anchor his ground game.
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The Whitney edition of the current retrospective, which appeared earlier at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, puts particular emphasis on Oiticica’s New York sojourn.
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Putting too much emphasis on wind, solar and other renewables may block off better carbon-reduction paths.
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Barrington has always had a primary break option in its offense, but this summer there's more of an emphasis and focus on the transition game.
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The unspecified upgrades would address safety and congestion issues, perhaps with an emphasis on alternative transportation modes, such as transit service.
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Campbell County's largest city has put an emphasis on old-fashioned Americana fun through July 8.
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The new president added an innovation of his own: The formal press conference, with an emphasis on formal.
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Silicon Valley is known for its emphasis on elaborate season-long plots that resolve well in beautifully constructed last episodes.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'emphasis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of emphasis
Latin, from Greek, exposition, emphasis, from emphainein to indicate, from en- + phainein to show — more at fancy
EMPHASIS Defined for English Language Learners
emphasis
playDefinition of emphasis for English Language Learners
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: a forceful quality in the way something is said or written
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: added force that is given to a word or syllable when speaking
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: special importance or attention given to something
EMPHASIS Defined for Kids
emphasis
playDefinition of emphasis for Students
emphases
\-ˌsēz\1 : a forcefulness in the way something is said or written that gives it special attention or importance
2 : special force given to one or more words or syllables in speaking or reading In the word "vacation," the emphasis is on the second syllable.
3 : special attention or importance given to something
Learn More about emphasis
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for emphasis Spanish Central: Translation of emphasis Nglish: Translation of emphasis for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of emphasis for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about emphasis
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