1
: a characteristic manner or style of expression : diction
2
a
: a brief expression
especially
: catchphrase
b
: word
3
: a short musical thought typically two to four measures long closing with a cadence
4
: a word or group of words forming a syntactic constituent with a single grammatical function
an adverbial phrase
5
: a series of dance movements comprising a section of a pattern
phrased; phrasing
1
a
: to express in words or in appropriate or telling terms
b
: to designate by a descriptive word or phrase
2
: to divide into melodic phrases
Examples of phrase in a Sentence
Noun
Answer the questions in complete sentences, not phrases.
She used the phrase “I strongly believe” too many times in her speech.
Underline the key words or phrases in the paragraph.
To borrow a phrase from my mother, I spend too much time “watching the boob tube” and not enough time outside.
Verb
He phrased his version of the story in a way that made him look good.
The question was awkwardly phrased.
The singer phrased the music beautifully.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 8 Feb. 2026
The now-iconic phrase has been exclaimed by Hall of Famers and football greats at the end of football's biggest game for years, followed by a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth or the Most Magical Place on Earth.
—Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
After all, Snow Falling on Cedars is constituted of dense and mellifluous prose, whereas Evelyn in Transit—to borrow phrasing from its publisher’s marketing language—is a crystalline novel written in a spare, precise style.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for phrase
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
In 1981, Memphis musician Tav Falco adopted that same phrase for the title of his debut album with the Panther Burns, one of the weirdest, wildest support groups in rock history.
—Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 8 Feb. 2026
The now-iconic phrase has been exclaimed by Hall of Famers and football greats at the end of football's biggest game for years, followed by a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth or the Most Magical Place on Earth.
—Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
The nonprofit group, whose name mirrors phrasing that has been used in Bennet’s campaign messaging, does not disclose its donors.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
After all, Snow Falling on Cedars is constituted of dense and mellifluous prose, whereas Evelyn in Transit—to borrow phrasing from its publisher’s marketing language—is a crystalline novel written in a spare, precise style.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Cite this Entry
“Phrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phrase. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
phrase
1 of 2 noun1
: a brief expression
especially
: one commonly used
2
: a small unit of a musical passage usually several measures long
3
: a group of two or more words that express a single idea but do not form a complete sentence
"out the door" in "they ran out the door" is a phrase
phrasal
adjective
ˈfrā-zəl
phrasally
adverb
-zə-lē
phrase
2 of 2 verb
phrased; phrasing
1
: to express in words
2
: to divide into musical phrases
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