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

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 | [e-mail], al, 6 Sep. 2023

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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