punctuation

noun

punc·​tu·​a·​tion ˌpəŋk-chə-ˈwā-shən 

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

Examples of punctuation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then the whole segment was taken over the top by Troy Iwata’s spelling- and punctuation-related meltdown. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025

The punctuation appears as it as in the email documents released by the Oversight Committee. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025

And students in English classes often used online tools like Grammarly to check grammar and punctuation before submitting assignments. —Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2025

All three poems incorporate a variety of punctuation, while their capitalization, enjambment, and line breaks generally add up to more than prose without feeling incoherent. —PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing punctuation

• punctuation mark

Rhymes for punctuation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

punctuation

noun

punc·​tu·​a·​tion ˌpəŋ(k)-chə-ˈwā-shən 

: the act, practice, or system of inserting punctuation marks in written matter to make the meaning clear and separate parts (as clauses or sentences)