periodical

1 of 2

adjective

pe·​ri·​od·​i·​cal ˌpir-ē-ˈä-di-kəl How to pronounce periodical (audio)
1
2
a
: published with a fixed interval between the issues or numbers
b
: published in, characteristic of, or connected with a periodical

periodical

2 of 2

noun

: 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
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Adjective
One of Bowie’s biggest inspirations seems to have been a periodical also called The Spectator, which was published between 1711 and 1712. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025 As is customary in the comics periodical market, there are 10 cover variants available from artists including Finch, Tony Moore, Lorenzo De Felici, Eric Canete and Ryan Ottley, that customers can order through their retailer. Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
This free periodical focuses on the brand’s philosophy of making everyday life better and more comfortable for everyone and is distributed in its stores. Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for periodical

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of periodical was in 1585

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Periodical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodical. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

periodical

1 of 2 adjective
pe·​ri·​od·​i·​cal ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-i-kəl How to pronounce periodical (audio)
1
2
: published at regular intervals
periodically
-k(ə-)lē
adverb

periodical

2 of 2 noun
: a periodical publication

More from Merriam-Webster on periodical

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