punctuation

noun

punc·​tu·​a·​tion ˌpəŋk-chə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce punctuation (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Reading poetry out loud also requires us to pause for punctuation or line breaks, increasing our parasympathetic tone and dampening our hyperactive sympathetic nervous system. K.j.s. “sunny” Anand, Time, 15 Oct. 2025 There are separate dials for numbers, navigation, functions and punctuation. New Atlas, 7 Oct. 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 See All Example Sentences for punctuation

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of punctuation was in 1593

Cite this Entry

“Punctuation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctuation. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

punctuation

noun
punc·​tu·​a·​tion ˌpəŋ(k)-chə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce punctuation (audio)
: the act, practice, or system of inserting punctuation marks in written matter to make the meaning clear and separate parts (as clauses or sentences)

More from Merriam-Webster on punctuation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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