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
Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026
Beginning in the 1890s, three successive Henry Wallaces — father, son, and grandson — held the editor’s pen at the influential periodical, Wallaces’ Farmer.
—Andrew Klumpp, Des Moines Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Chris Klimek, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
Some work came as news through notices of what was happening in cities and towns through the local press and other coverage came through academic outlets or periodicals.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for periodical
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Adjective
Like any outlet covering Congress, media working for TMZ must be credentialed by the Senate and House periodical press galleries.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026
Beginning in the 1890s, three successive Henry Wallaces — father, son, and grandson — held the editor’s pen at the influential periodical, Wallaces’ Farmer.
—Andrew Klumpp, Des Moines Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
Amazing was part of a thriving genre of periodicals that included Astounding Stories of Super-Science (later Analog Science Fiction and Fact) and Galaxy Science Fiction.
—Chris Klimek, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
Some work came as news through notices of what was happening in cities and towns through the local press and other coverage came through academic outlets or periodicals.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for periodical
Cite this Entry
“Periodical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodical. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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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