per

preposition

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\ ˈpər

Definition of per

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : by the means or agency of : through per bearer

2 : with respect to every member of a specified group : for each

3 : according to —often used with as per instructionsas per usual

per

adverb

Definition of per (Entry 2 of 4)

: for each : apiece a bargain at $3.50 per

per

abbreviation

Definition of per (Entry 3 of 4)

1 period

2 person

per-

prefix

Definition of per- (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : throughout : thoroughly peruse

2a : containing the largest possible or a relatively large proportion of a (specified) chemical element perchloroethylene

b : containing an element in its highest or a high oxidation state perchloric acid

Synonyms Using Per as a Preposition: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Phrases Containing per Learn More About per

Synonyms for per

Synonyms: Preposition

Synonyms: Adverb

Using Per as a Preposition: Usage Guide

Preposition

Per occurs most frequently in business contexts; its use outside such contexts is often criticized but is quite widespread, especially in sense 2. Its most common and natural nonbusiness uses always involve figures, usually in relation to price $150 per performance , automobiles 32 miles per gallon 55 miles per hour , or sports. averages 15 points and 9 rebounds per game

Examples of per in a Sentence

Preposition The speed limit is 35 miles per hour. The car gets 32 miles per gallon. He averages 15 points per game. Per your advice, I accepted their offer. Adverb you can have them at 50 cents per or three for $1.25

Recent Examples on the Web: Preposition Meanwhile, sophomore Johnny Richardson has gained more than 11 yards per rush in each game. — Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Higgins was a big part of the Bengals offensive success last season with 1,091 yards (14.7 yards per catch) and six touchdowns. — Michael Niziolek, cleveland, 15 Sep. 2022 Prior to the merge, ethereum was doing up to 900 billion calculations per second that are now not needed anymore. — David Hamilton, ajc, 15 Sep. 2022 Their wealth increased to the tune of $6.5 trillion, per the Federal Reserve. — Chloe Berger, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2022 Wagner is finishing a large share of his offensive possessions as the ball-handler in pick and roll sets, per Synergy. — Prince J. Grimes, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2022 The week-over-week decrease in global deaths from Covid, per the World Health Organization. — Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 15 Sep. 2022 The new documentary tells the story of that campaign and has won awards at several film festivals, per a news release. — Morgan Watkins, The Courier-Journal, 15 Sep. 2022 Drawings are held three times per week at approximately 10:59 p.m. ET every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. — Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Sep. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb Senior libero/setter Cassidy Donalson represented Spring Woods on the watch list after averaging a team-high 4.3 digs per set as a junior. — Jack Marrion, Houston Chronicle, 1 July 2019 That’s helped bring per-pound retail prices for beef patties down 16% from their September 2015 high of $5.12 to about $4.31 in June, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. — Jacob Bunge, WSJ, 30 June 2018 Anderton, the Collierville, Tennessee, native averaged 11.78 assists per set and 2.00 digs per set as Samford improved to 6-6 in SoCon play. — Samford Athletics, AL.com, 2 Nov. 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'per.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for per

Preposition

Latin, through, by means of, by — more at for

Prefix

Latin, through, throughout, thoroughly, detrimental to, from per

Learn More About per

Dictionary Entries Near per

Pequot

per

per-

Statistics for per

Last Updated

17 Sep 2022

Cite this Entry

“Per.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/per. Accessed 24 Sep. 2022.

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More Definitions for per

per

preposition

\ ˈpər

Kids Definition of per

1 : to or for each It cost us ten dollars per day.

2 : as directed by Construction was done per instructions.

per

preposition

\ ˈpər

Medical Definition of per

(Entry 1 of 2)

: by the means or agency of : by way of : through enter through the mouth lining and per the bloodstream to the stomach — Sydney (Australia) Bulletin blood per rectum — see per os

per

abbreviation

Medical Definition of per (Entry 2 of 2)

1 period; periodic

2 person

per

preposition

\ ˈpər