paragraph

noun

par·a·graph | \ ˈper-ə-ˌgraf

, ˈpa-rə-\

Definition of paragraph

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

paragraph

verb

paragraphed; paragraphing; paragraphs

Definition of paragraph (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to write paragraphs about

2 : to divide into paragraphs

intransitive verb

: to write paragraphs

Other Words from paragraph More Example Sentences Learn More about paragraph

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Examples of paragraph in a Sentence

Noun

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 on the Web: Noun

Perhaps the two least honest paragraphs in American newspapers today arrive courtesy of socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.). — James Freeman, WSJ, "Remember When Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders Loved Business?," 4 Feb. 2019 Otherwise, you shall be bound to arbitrate disputes in accordance with the terms of those paragraphs. — sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego Union-Tribune Terms of Service," 25 June 2018 From month to month, events in the lives of the musicians are traced in vignettes that range from a single paragraph to several pages. — John Check, WSJ, "‘Making Music American’ Review: Turning Swords Into Saxophones," 28 Dec. 2018 Post updated in the last paragraph to clarify the $500 fee is only in the first year. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, "Meet Helm, the startup taking on Gmail with a server that runs in your home," 17 Oct. 2018 The next day a tiny paragraph appeared on the Times fashion page proclaiming a new designer. — Vogue, "In His Posthumous Memoir, Bill Cunningham Recalls His Bohemian Beginnings," 13 Aug. 2018 Each starts with a realistic pencil drawing by Vicki Trego Hill and a paragraph in both English and Spanish, then breaks for easier reading into English text on the left pages and Spanish on the right. — Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, "Children’s Books: Tales Told in Many Tongues," 3 Jan. 2019 All of those 30 paragraphs guarantee that women and men should have equal pay and equal opportunity for advancement and equal rights. — Michael Paterniti, GQ, "Jimmy Carter for Higher Office," 26 June 2018 Short captions are over, and instead paragraphs describing our daily hurdles and emotions are in. — Cazzie David, Vogue, "2018’s Most Ridiculous Moments in Beauty—And Beyond!—According to Cazzie David," 22 Dec. 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.

History and Etymology for paragraph

Noun and Verb

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