pe·ri·od·i·cal
ˌpir-ē-ˈä-di-kəl 
1
2
a
: published with a fixed interval between the issues or numbers
b
: published in, characteristic of, or connected with a periodical
: a periodical publication
Examples of periodical in a Sentence
Adjective
a periodical town newsletter that is supported by local advertisers
periodical announcements from airline personnel concerning the delay
Noun
She writes for a monthly periodical.
The library has a large collection of scholarly periodicals.
Recent Examples on the Web
Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Dickens had taken a nom de plume in the tradition of journalists and periodical writers, but there was no need to conceal his identity.
—Kirsty McHugh, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Please Don’t Eat the Daisies by Jean Kerr (1957)
$16
$19 now 16% off
This used to be a proper country, where numerous humor writers regularly published in mainstream periodicals their gentle, relatable, and cutting musings about the foibles of modern life.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for periodical
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Adjective
Tennessee won't see the next periodical emergence of cicadas until 2028, when the 13-year cycle Brood XXIII cicadas return.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Dickens had taken a nom de plume in the tradition of journalists and periodical writers, but there was no need to conceal his identity.
—Kirsty McHugh, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
Noun
How accurate is the Farmers' Almanac? Farmers' Almanac is an annual American periodical that has been in continuous publication since 1818, providing long-range weather predictions for the U.S. and Canada.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Please Don’t Eat the Daisies by Jean Kerr (1957)
$16
$19 now 16% off
This used to be a proper country, where numerous humor writers regularly published in mainstream periodicals their gentle, relatable, and cutting musings about the foibles of modern life.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for periodical
Cite this Entry
“Periodical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodical. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
periodical
1 of 2 adjective
pe·ri·od·i·cal
ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-i-kəl
1
2
: published at regular intervals
periodically
adverb
-k(ə-)lē
periodical
2 of 2 noun
: a periodical publication
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