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

Their verbage has been edited for clarity, style, punctuation and grammar.

— tim griffin diehards, ajc, "What West Virginia fans said after Oklahoma’s huge victory over the Mountaineers," 27 Nov. 2017
Notwithstanding the listing of the candidate's name on the filing papers, spaces, periods, quotation marks, and commas necessary for proper punctuation shall be added by the secretary of state or the county clerk, as appropriate.

— melissa reinert, Cincinnati.com, "Want to run for office in Kenton? Here's what you need to know," 2 Oct. 2017
The untitled story takes up about 14 pages of the notebook, which also includes bits of poetry and notes on grammar, including rules for capitalization and punctuation.

— robert k. elder, New York Times, "Hemingway’s First Short Story Found in Key West," 29 Sep. 2017
Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan’s president, wants the punctuation symbol to play a much bigger part in public life.

— The Economist, "Apostrophes on the marchKazakhstan wants Kazakh written in Latin, not Cyrillic script," 2 Nov. 2017
As a summary statement, the book, like the show, is a form of punctuation, though, graphically speaking, which one: an exclamation point, a question mark, an ellipsis?

— holland cotter, New York Times, "Collecting Strokes of Genius," 12 Oct. 2017
Under Michael Menendian's direction, Christopher W. Jones makes Pharus an affecting combination of cunning and vulnerability; choreographer Breon Arzell and music director Frederick Harris supply sharp musical punctuation.

— Chicago Reader, "Choir Boy, Foxfinder, and 12 more stage shows to see now," 12 Oct. 2017
Back in the days of The Colbert Report, Colbert’s waggly eyebrows served as the perfect ironic punctuation for many of his jokes; these days, however, the news is so ridiculous that the most ironic move of all is a straight face.

— laura bradley, vanityfair.com, "The Opposition w/ Jordan Klepper," 26 Sep. 2017
Back in the days of The Colbert Report, Colbert’s waggly eyebrows served as the perfect ironic punctuation for many of his jokes; these days, however, the news is so ridiculous that the most ironic move of all is a straight face.

— laura bradley, HWD, "The Opposition w/ Jordan Klepper," 26 Sep. 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.