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 Learn More About per

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Synonyms for per

Synonyms: Preposition

by,
in,
through,
via,
with

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 Hightower is 31, hasn’t played football in over a year, and is due $8.725 million in salary and per-game bonus, plus $2 million in incentives. — BostonGlobe.com, 18 July 2021 There were eight lines on the Twins-O-Gram, with tiny bulbs to illuminate eight characters per line. — Star Tribune, 17 July 2021 Unvaccinated players, for instance, must continue to get daily testing, per the report. — Bob Mcmanaman, The Arizona Republic, 17 July 2021 Since 1992, federal law has dictated that new showerheads should not pour more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute. — Arkansas Online, 17 July 2021 Gardocki was first All-Pro in 1996 and averaged 44.8 yards per punt, 4.7% better than the NFL average from 1995-98. — Nat Newell, The Indianapolis Star, 17 July 2021 The Bureau of Land Management has contracted with Cattour Livestock Roundup, which is being paid hundreds of dollars per head to use a helicopter to drive horses into pens. — Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 July 2021 A week ago, the rate of cases in Miami-Dade County was 150 per 100,000 people, or five times the rate of the United States. — Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2021 The department found that in communities where a form of civilian oversight exists, the rate of complaints tends to be higher – 11.9 per 100 officers vs. 6.7 in other communities -- presumably because people are more willing to come forward. — Robert Higgs, cleveland, 17 July 2021 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

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.

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Learn More About per

Dictionary Entries Near per

pep up

Pepys

Pequot

per

per-

Peracarida

per accidens

Statistics for per

Last Updated

19 Jul 2021

Cite this Entry

“Per.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/per. Accessed 24 Jul. 2021.

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More Definitions for per

per

preposition

English Language Learners Definition of per

: for each

somewhat formal : as directed by or stated in

See the full definition for per in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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

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per

preposition

\ ˈpər