punch line

noun

: the sentence, statement, or phrase (as in a joke) that makes the point

Examples of punch line in a Sentence

She didn't understand the punch line.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bad imitations eventually reduced molecular gastronomy to a punch line about foam, fog, and something unfortunately known as meat glue. — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026

The caption goes further The ad’s punch line ties directly to the film’s themes. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

When will Smith learn the lesson to talk like a human and focus less on a punch line when discussing serious subjects? — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026

The situation sparked a free speech debate and had Sheeran on the receiving end of punch lines and criticism. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for punch line

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• brucine
• byline