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

There are separate dials for numbers, navigation, functions and punctuation. —New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2025

An 0-3 record writes its own irrefutable story, and a critical late Tagovailoa interception was its punctuation. —Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2025

These were staples of her upbringing and her reading, the punctuation of her days as a practicing Christian. —Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025

Also, the sound of a flushing toilet had been heard in films, usually as comic punctuation. —Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 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)