Definition of paragraph
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
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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
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About half of India’s ten-year-olds cannot read a paragraph meant for seven-year-olds.
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Replaces 'companies' with 'communications' in the second paragraph]
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Stanford pointed to a three-paragraph online statement on animal research that notes achievements such as the isolation of insulin.
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The short, technical paragraph calls for the Internal Revenue Service to allow patients with high-deductible health plans to receive care for chronic diseases, including drugs, before meeting their deductibles.
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Such accidents rarely get more than a few paragraphs in the local news.
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Here is the paragraph where CMS finds that the customers on the Obamacare exchanges have not been getting sicker:
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The dynamics in that paragraph—not the Warriors title—are why the NBA off-season has gone crazy.
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Decisions of the Sponsor are final and binding in all matters related to this paragraph.
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
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
paragraph
Definition of paragraph
transitive verb
1 : to write paragraphs about
2 : to divide into paragraphs
intransitive verb
: to write paragraphs
Origin and Etymology of paragraph
see 1paragraph
PARAGRAPH Defined for English Language Learners
paragraph
playDefinition of paragraph for English Language Learners
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: a part of a piece of writing that usually deals with one subject, that begins on a new line, and that is made up of one or more sentences
PARAGRAPH Defined for Kids
paragraph
playDefinition of paragraph for Students
: a part of a piece of writing that is made up of one or more sentences and has to do with one topic or gives the words of one speaker
Law Dictionary
paragraph
Legal Definition of paragraph
: a distinct often numbered or otherwise designated section of a document or writing (as a statute or pleading)
Learn More about paragraph
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See words that rhyme with paragraph Spanish Central: Translation of paragraph Nglish: Translation of paragraph for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of paragraph for Arabic speakers
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