punctuation

noun punc·tu·a·tion \ ˌpəŋk-chə-ˈwā-shən \

Definition of punctuation

1 :the act of punctuating :the state of being punctuated

2 :the act or practice of inserting standardized marks or signs in written matter to clarify the meaning and separate structural units; also :a system of punctuation

3 :something that contrasts or accentuates

See punctuation defined for English-language learners

See punctuation defined for kids

Recent Examples of punctuation from the Web

The punctuation mark was a walk-off grand slam, giving him seven RBI in the Orioles’ 9-7 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Around the Bases: This week in MLB," 19 Aug. 2017
The moment put a punctuation mark on a three-game sweep in Motown and a season-long winning streak.

— rustin dodd, kansascity, "Eric Hosmer erupts for five hits, grand slam in Royals’ 16-2 win over Tigers," 26 July 2017
These recent episodes may, however, be remembered not as harbingers of future conflicts but as punctuations ending an era.

— george will, National Review, "The Wild Blue Yonder Ain’t What It Used to Be," 22 July 2017
This means the news of Iggy collaborating with homonymous problematic cohort Azealia Banks puts a limp punctuation mark on this stage of Iggy’s second record.

— dale eisinger, Billboard, "Iggy Azalea Says the 'Digital Distortion' Rollout is Coming to an Abrupt End," 9 July 2017
Death was not a punctuation but a hyphen or em dash in the continuum of life.

— the new york times, NOLA.com, "Walter Anderson's Horn Island off Mississippi remains a 'natural reality'," 4 July 2017
The mention that Tupac’s godmother was Assata Shakur was a valuable punctuation, especially given Assata’s current role in the social consciousness of America and the #HandsOffAssata movement.

— kathy iandoli, Billboard, "Perhaps There Were Too Many Eyes On Tupac Biopic 'All Eyez On Me'," 22 June 2017
Created by a Frenchman named Louise Braille in the 1800s, Braille organizes dots in various patterns to form letters, numbers and punctuation marks.

— michael casey, The Seattle Times, "Inmates learn Braille in hopes of getting work after prison," 24 May 2017
Created by a Frenchman named Louise Braille in the 1800s, Braille organizes dots in various patterns to form letters, numbers and punctuation marks.

— CBS News, "Inmates learn Braille in hopes of getting work after prison," 24 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'punctuation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of punctuation

1593

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

PUNCTUATION Defined for English Language Learners

punctuation

noun

Definition of punctuation for English Language Learners

: the marks (such as periods and commas) in a piece of writing that make its meaning clear and that separate it into sentences, clauses, etc.

PUNCTUATION Defined for Kids

punctuation

noun punc·tu·a·tion \ ˌpəŋk-chə-ˈwā-shən \

Definition of punctuation for Students

1 :the act of adding punctuation marks to writing

2 :a system of using punctuation marks

Word Root of punctuation

The Latin word pungere, meaning “to prick” or “to pierce,” and its form punctus give us the roots pung and punct. Words from the Latin pungere have something to do with pricking or piercing. To puncture is to pierce with something pointed. A pungent smell is one that is so strong and sharp that it pierces the nose. Someone punctual acts at the exact point when the hands of the clock prick the right moment. Punctuation pierces a string of words to form separate sentences.

Learn More about punctuation

See words that rhyme with punctuation Spanish Central: Translation of punctuation Nglish: Translation of punctuation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of punctuation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about punctuation

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punctuation

Definition of punctuation

Recent Examples of punctuation from the Web

First Known Use of punctuation

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

PUNCTUATION Defined for English Language Learners

punctuation

Definition of punctuation for English Language Learners

PUNCTUATION Defined for Kids

punctuation

Definition of punctuation for Students

Word Root of punctuation

Learn More about punctuation

Seen and Heard

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punctuation

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