parenthesis

noun

pa·​ren·​the·​sis pə-ˈren(t)-thə-səs How to pronounce parenthesis (audio)
plural parentheses pə-ˈren(t)-thə-ˌsēz How to pronounce parenthesis (audio)
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.

Examples of parenthesis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Top 10 With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses. Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023 Its description is equally a jumble of keywords encased in parentheses and questionable grammar. Josh Hendrickson, PCMAG, 13 Sep. 2023 Top 10 With records through Sunday and previous rankings in parentheses. Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2023 Enter Email Sign Up When Bloom arrived, this was the Red Sox top 10 (with the level at which the player finished 2019 in parentheses): 1. Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Sep. 2023 Sam Houston 14 10 *first-place votes in parentheses This week’s Best in Texas panelists: Scott Bell, Grant Gaspard, Michael Haag, Jamie Hancock, Selby Lopez, Kevin Sherrington, Corey Smith, Stefan Stevenson, Brett Vito. Selby Lopez, Dallas News, 12 Sep. 2023 San Diego Union-Tribune Sportswriters/Sportscasters 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 Week 1. San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023 Top 10 With records through Tuesday and previous rankings in parentheses. Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2023 Here are 10 others, in chronological order (hometowns in parentheses): 1. Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parenthesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of parenthesis was in 1548

Dictionary Entries Near parenthesis

Cite this Entry

“Parenthesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parenthesis. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

parenthesis

noun
pa·​ren·​the·​sis pə-ˈren(t)-thə-səs How to pronounce parenthesis (audio)
plural parentheses -thə-ˌsēz How to pronounce parenthesis (audio)
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 adverb

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