parenthesis

noun

pa·​ren·​the·​sis pə-ˈren(t)-thə-səs 

plural parentheses pə-ˈren(t)-thə-ˌsēz 

1

a

: an amplifying (see amplify sense 1) or explanatory word, phrase, or sentence inserted in a passage from which it is usually set off by punctuation

explained further in a parenthesis

b

: a remark or passage that departs from the theme of a discourse : digression

The speaker inserted some often amusing parentheses during his speech.

2

: interlude, interval

The parenthesis of war interrupted the course of his life.

3

: one or both of the curved marks ( ) used in writing and printing to enclose a parenthetical expression or to group a symbolic unit in a logical or mathematical expression

The plant's common name is followed by its Latin name in parentheses.

Synonyms of parenthesis

• interval
• interruption
• hiatus
• pause
• gap

Examples of parenthesis in a Sentence

there was a parenthesis of silence when the microphone momentarily lost power

Recent Examples on the Web

And that, Sachin explained, was the last Sachin had seen of Rajesh, who was killed in one of the most brutal assaults on an American base during the war, his life canceled in a weird parenthesis, a nowhere land between nations. —Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026

Each writer’s personal ranking will appear in parentheses next to their name. —Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026

First-place votes in parentheses; points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis: Team; Record; Points; Last 1. —John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026

Top 10 With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses. —Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek, literally, act of inserting, from parentithenai to insert, from para- + en- en- + tithenai to place — more at do

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

parenthesis

noun

pa·​ren·​the·​sis pə-ˈren(t)-thə-səs 

plural parentheses -thə-ˌsēz 

1

: a word, phrase, or sentence inserted in a passage to explain or comment on it

2

: one of a pair of marks ( ) used to enclose a parenthesis or to group units in a mathematical expression

parenthetic

ˌpar-ən-ˈthet-ik

adjective

or parenthetical

-ˈthet-i-kəl

parenthetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb