hyphen

noun

Save Word

hy·phen | \ ˈhī-fən

Definition of hyphen

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a punctuation mark - used especially to divide or to compound words, word elements, or numbers

hyphen

verb

hyphened; hyphening; hyphens

Definition of hyphen (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: hyphenate

Other Words from hyphen Example Sentences Phrases Containing hyphen Learn More About hyphen

Examples of hyphen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Combo shampoo-conditioners, serum-moisturizers, mask-cleansers—all tend to be better at one side of the hyphen than the other. — Kareem Rashed, Robb Report, 28 July 2022 The plaintiffs say data entry errors or differences as minor as a missing hyphen or apostrophe can trigger a non-match and that naturalized citizens can also be wrongly flagged as noncitizens if records are outdated. — CBS News, 11 Apr. 2022 The plaintiffs say data entry errors or differences as minor as a missing hyphen or apostrophe can trigger a non-match and that naturalized citizens can also be wrongly flagged as noncitizens if records are outdated. — CBS News, 11 Apr. 2022 The plaintiffs say data entry errors or differences as minor as a missing hyphen or apostrophe can trigger a non-match and that naturalized citizens can also be wrongly flagged as noncitizens if records are outdated. — CBS News, 11 Apr. 2022 The plaintiffs say data entry errors or differences as minor as a missing hyphen or apostrophe can trigger a non-match and that naturalized citizens can also be wrongly flagged as noncitizens if records are outdated. — CBS News, 11 Apr. 2022 Whereas Mahdavi has chosen to embrace the hyphen, others have rejected it. — Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2022 As a result, geneticists collectively refer to them as Khoe-San, using a hyphen to acknowledge their cultural distinction. — Brenna Henn, The Conversation, 19 Apr. 2022 The plaintiffs say data entry errors or differences as minor as a missing hyphen or apostrophe can trigger a non-match and that naturalized citizens can also be wrongly flagged as noncitizens if records are outdated. — CBS News, 11 Apr. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Normally, closed caption subtitling bleeps words in a variety of different ways: phrases, such as (bleep), [expletive], or [censored] may be used, though sometimes hyphens or asterisks are substituted instead (f–k, f---, or f*** are all examples. — Ace Ratcliff, SELF, 10 July 2018 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hyphen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.