paragraph

noun par·a·graph \ ˈper-ə-ˌgraf , ˈpa-rə- \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Definition of paragraph

1 a : a subdivision of a written composition that consists of one or more sentences, deals with one point or gives the words of one speaker, and begins on a new usually indented line

The introductory paragraphs were written by the editor.

b : a short composition or note that is complete in one paragraph

2 : a character (such as ¶) used to indicate the beginning of a paragraph and as a reference mark

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paragraphic

play \ˌper-ə-ˈgra-fik, ˌpa-rə-\ adjective

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Examples of paragraph in a Sentence

In the second paragraph from the bottom, you've misspelled “their” as “thier.”
Please refer to section 2, paragraph 4 for the appropriate information.
The two introductory paragraphs were written by the editor.

Recent Examples of paragraph from the Web

Only in the memo’s final paragraph do its authors acknowledge that Papadopoulos’s loose lips sparked the FBI probe.

— matt ford, New Republic, "Trump Just Shot Himself in the Foot," 2 Feb. 2018
The president has been very clear on his thoughts; issued a four-paragraph statement about Mr. Bannon.

— stephen a. crockett jr., The Root, "White House on ‘Sloppy Steve’ Bannon: ‘New Phone, Who Dis?’," 9 Jan. 2018
One of those home runs was hit by Rockies starter German Marquez, and, well, nothing about this paragraph makes sense.

— pete grathoff, kansascity, "Rockies pitcher hits home run off Arizona position player who was pitching," 12 July 2018
For example, the final version no longer contains a paragraph noting that FEMA’s hurricane plans had so underestimated disaster impacts that the agency used a five-year-old earthquake and tsunami plan.

— frances robles, New York Times, "FEMA Was Sorely Unprepared for Puerto Rico Hurricane, Report Says," 12 July 2018
Or is this the administration’s position going forward -- period, paragraph?

— BostonGlobe.com, "Here’s how Homeland Security’s Kirstjen Nielsen defended the controversial separation immigration policy," 18 June 2018
Here are a few italicized and unedited paragraphs from those original stories, as well as a comment on what actually happened next.

— scott fowler, charlotteobserver, "In 2009, Stephen Curry had NBA draft destination in mind, and it wasn't Golden State," 18 June 2018
There’s a certain horrifying inevitability to this middle class, upwardly mobile man’s arrest: The details of trial are summed up in a few short paragraphs.

— time staff, Time, "Best Novels of 2018 So Far," 11 June 2018
In a paragraph that is almost entirely redacted, the affidavit mentions the shooting death of a college professor, Claude Snelling, who had confronted an intruder attempting to kidnap his daughter.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Georgia cop fired after he ran over fleeing suspect with his car," 3 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of paragraph

Middle English paragraf marginal sign marking a paragraph, from Anglo-French parogref, from Medieval Latin paragraphus, from Greek paragraphos line used to mark change of persons in a dialogue, from paragraphein to write alongside, from para- + graphein to write — more at carve

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year