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 instructions
as per usual
Using Per as a Preposition: Usage Guide
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
1
period
2
person
1
: throughout : thoroughly
peruse
2
a
: 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
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
Alvaro Morales, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Held at Belle Isle Beach House, Detroit’s Swim Across America fundraiser, Motor City Mile Open Swim, is in its seventh year, and typically attracts more than 150 swimmers per year and 60 to 100 volunteers.
—Allana Smith, Freep.com, 9 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for per
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Preposition
Organizations should monitor their cost per unit of value and ensure their price per unit achieves their target margin.
—Alvaro Morales, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Held at Belle Isle Beach House, Detroit’s Swim Across America fundraiser, Motor City Mile Open Swim, is in its seventh year, and typically attracts more than 150 swimmers per year and 60 to 100 volunteers.
—Allana Smith, Freep.com, 9 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for per
Cite this Entry
“Per.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/per. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
Legal Definition
per
preposition
: as stated by
—used to indicate the author of an opinion with which the majority of judges concur
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