purse

noun

\ ˈpərs

Definition of purse

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1) : a small bag for money

(2) : a receptacle (such as a pocketbook) for carrying money and often other small objects

b : a receptacle (such as a pouch) shaped like a purse

2a : resources, funds

b : a sum of money offered as a prize or present also : the total amount of money offered in prizes for a given event

purse

verb

pursed; pursing

Definition of purse (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to put into a purse

2 : pucker, knit pursed his brow

Other Words from purse Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about purse

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of purse in a Sentence

Noun

a golf tournament with a million dollar purse I left my purse at home, so I can't buy anything after all.

Verb

She pursed her lips in concentration. His lips were tightly pursed.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The commemorative coins included in this year's purses celebrated Queen Victoria's 200th birthday, as well as one of the U.K.'s most enduring fictional characters, Sherlock Holmes. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "For a Joint Appearance with Queen Elizabeth, Princess Eugenie Rewears a Floral Erdem Dress," 18 Apr. 2019 Webster also owns a mini Louis Vuitton Speedy bag and a tiny red Chanel purse. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kylie Jenner Shares a Video of One-Year-Old Stormi Carrying a Mini Hermès Bag with Travis Scott," 1 Apr. 2019 The carry-on bags are also getting larger and larger, whereas in the past, someone may have only brought a purse on board and checked a maybe-too-large suitcase. — Aditi Shrikant, Vox, "Why airlines make you check your carry-on bags," 20 Dec. 2018 Someone entered a car parked in the 100 block of Erie Court and stole a purse between 6:55 a.m. and 7:35 p.m. July 7. — Staff Report, chicagotribune.com, "Police: Oak Park resident robbed while walking on Austin Boulevard," 14 July 2018 Detectives are searching for distraction thieves who stole the purse of a woman visiting from England, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. — Wayne K. Roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Distraction thieves shown on video stealing from English visitor in Dania Beach hotel," 12 July 2018 Kissimmee police are searching for two men accused of pushing a female victim to the ground, kicking her and stealing her purse on June 29 . — Annie Martin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Kissimmee police searching for men accused of robbing a woman," 5 July 2018 The burglar also shattered the rear window of a car in the 14000 block of Edison Drive to steal a purse containing a wallet and an iPhone. — Staff Report, Daily Southtown, "Southland police blotter," 5 June 2018 Grand theft, Van Aken Boulevard: At 5 p.m. April 27, a woman visiting the Shaker Heights Library, 16500 Van Aken Blvd., reported that a female suspect stole her purse, which included the keys to her 2010 Honda CRV. — Jeff Piorkowski/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Girl, 14, arrested for auto theft: Shaker Heights police blotter," 4 May 2018

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