paperwork

noun

pa·​per·​work ˈpā-pər-ˌwərk How to pronounce paperwork (audio)
: routine clerical or recordkeeping work often incidental to a more important task

Examples of paperwork in a Sentence

She failed to file the paperwork on time. The lawyer had us fill in the paperwork for the mortgage.
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.
Empowering Smaller Fleets Through Smart Tech Running a small fleet today often means juggling dispatch calls, DOT paperwork, route planning, driver support, and invoicing, all with limited administrative staff and tight margins. Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 30 June 2025 On Monday, after the Tribune’s story on Johnson’s lobbying team was published online, Williams filed paperwork with the Illinois secretary of state’s office to register the city of Chicago as one of his lobbying clients. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025 Kennedy bases that number on a 2009 federal audit of conflict-of-interest paperwork, but that report looked at 17 CDC advisory committees, not specifically this vaccine committee. Jake Scott, The Conversation, 26 June 2025 At issue is an order signed by Chief Judge George L. Russell III and filed in May blocking the administration from immediately removing from the U.S. any immigrants who file paperwork with the Maryland federal district court seeking a review of their detention. Sudhin Thanawala, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for paperwork

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paperwork was in 1899

Cite this Entry

“Paperwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paperwork. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

paperwork

noun
pa·​per·​work -ˌwərk How to pronounce paperwork (audio)
: routine office or record-keeping work

More from Merriam-Webster on paperwork

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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