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
Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Martineau’s boast about the textile factories of the Scottish town of Paisley, published in the periodical Household Words in 1852, was more than an expression of pride in British efficiency.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 6 Aug. 2025
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 May 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
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Adjective
Marvel Comics, the longtime market-share leader in sales of periodical comics, traditionally sells to older superhero fans who buy physical copies in comic shops or download entire issues on apps like Marvel Unlimited or Amazon’s comiXology.
—Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Martineau’s boast about the textile factories of the Scottish town of Paisley, published in the periodical Household Words in 1852, was more than an expression of pride in British efficiency.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
The saga of this allegedly civilized periodical seemed about as tranquil as a Viking smithy.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 May 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
Cite this Entry
“Periodical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodical. Accessed 22 Aug. 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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