per
prepositionTo save this word, you'll need to log in.
\ 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 asper instructionsas per usual
per
adverbDefinition of per (Entry 2 of 4)
: for each : apiece a bargain at $3.50 per
per
abbreviationDefinition of per (Entry 3 of 4)
1 period
2 person
per-
prefixDefinition 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
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms for per
Synonyms: Preposition
Synonyms: Adverb
- all,
- apiece,
- each,
- per capita
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
See More
Recent Examples on the Web: Preposition The Vikings are fourth in rushing yards per game after being No.
—
Chris Tomasson, Twin Cities, "Since nearly going scoreless in Seattle, Vikings offense much better," 27 Nov. 2019 Mensah has been the Huskies’ best player all season, rushing for 918 yards and nine touchdowns, while averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
—
Alex Putterman, courant.com, "UConn football vs. East Carolina: time, how to watch, broadcasters, weather, betting line, preview," 23 Nov. 2019 To that point, UW had 121 rushing yards on 12 carries, an average of 10.1 yards per carry.
—
Jeff Potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin 45, Purdue 24: Pretty? No. Good enough to set up showdown with Minnesota? Absolutely.," 23 Nov. 2019 Removing those three plays, UTSA limited Southern Miss to 2.8 yards per carry.
—
Greg Luca, ExpressNews.com, "UTSA seniors set for final home game Saturday against Florida Atlantic," 22 Nov. 2019 Penn State’s defense yields only 2.1 yards per carry, the stingiest in the country.
—
Bill Rabinowitz, Cincinnati.com, "Here's what Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day had to say about facing Penn State," 20 Nov. 2019 In seven games with the Dolphins this season, Walton rushed 53 times for 201 yards, an average of 3.8 yards per carry.
—
CBS News, "Miami Dolphins release Mark Walton after arrest for allegedly hitting girlfriend," 19 Nov. 2019 Williams averaged two yards per carry, and Shaun Shivers and Harold Joiner barely touched the ball.
—
Giana Han, al, "Grading Auburn’s 48-45 win over Alabama," 1 Dec. 2019 The Stanford running game, known for the better part of a decade for punishing opponents and dominating time of possession, managed just 189 yards on 61 carries (3.1 yards per carry) in the season’s closing three-game span.
—
Rusty Simmons, SFChronicle.com, "Stanford ends year riddled by injuries, mistakes with loss to rival Notre Dame," 30 Nov. 2019 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, "SBISD players recognized on District 17-6A baseball team," 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, "Chicken, Turkey and Tuna Have a Beef With Your Burger," 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, "Samford volleyball preps for two key home matches this weekend," 2 Nov. 2017
See MoreThese 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for per
per
prepositionEnglish 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
abbreviationMedical Definition of per (Entry 2 of 2)
1 period; periodic
2 person
Keep scrolling for more
per
preposition\ ˈpər \
\Legal Definition of per
: as stated by
—used to indicate the author of an opinion with which the majority of judges concur
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on per
What made you want to look up per? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share per
Time Traveler for per
The first known use of per was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century