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

• discontinuity
• gap
• hiatus
• hiccup
• hiccough
• interim
• interlude
• intermission
• interregnum
• interruption
• interstice
• interval

Examples of parenthesis in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Top 10 With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses. —Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025

Listen to this article San Diego Union-Tribune High School Baseball Poll (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, 21 Apr. 2025

These are the quarterbacks Seattle could have selected in the subsequent drafts without trading up, sorted by year with the round listed in parentheses. —Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

While all the five songs are officially credited to the band as a whole, each track is also associated with specific artists from within the group, as their names are listed in parentheses. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

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