report

noun re·port \ ri-ˈpȯrt \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: report in a Sentence

Definition of report

1 a : common talk or an account spread by common talk : rumor

b : quality of reputation

a witness of good report

2 a : a usually detailed account or statement

a news report

b : an account or statement of a judicial opinion or decision

c : a usually formal record of the proceedings of a meeting or session

3 : an explosive noise

— on report

: subject to disciplinary action

was put on report for the violation

See report defined for English-language learners

See report defined for kids

Examples of report in a Sentence

a special report on health
a report from our correspondent in China
She wrote a report of the meeting.
He gave a detailed report on the project.
She filled out a police report at the scene of the accident.
the government's report on crime in 2006
Unconfirmed reports state that over 100 people were hurt.
Police have received reports of gang activity in the neighborhood.

Recent Examples of report from the Web

Sage will present a final report to the Board of Education in November.

— libby solomon, baltimoresun.com, "Firm presents 7 scenarios to address Balto. Co. high school overcrowding; all include new Towson High," 13 July 2018
The reports are supposed to be teaching tools only.

— mike hendricks, kansascity, "In a tragic loop, firefighters continue to die from preventable mistakes," 13 July 2018
But Prince Philip was not spotted today, according to the White House pool report, nor were any other members of the royal family.

— abby gardner, Glamour, "Tea With Queen Elizabeth II and a Giant Baby Trump—a President's London Itinerary," 13 July 2018
Officials were alerted to the vandalism spree after receiving a report from a man who was driving down South Avenue at 12:56 a.m., Whitman police said in a statement.

— elise takahama, BostonGlobe.com, "Two men arrested in car vandalism spree in Whitman," 14 July 2018
Officials have not verified reports that North Korea may have demolished a stand used for missile-ejection tests in May. Ejection tests are a limited step short of a full-blown launch.

— calvin woodward and hope yen, chicagotribune.com, "Trump is in Europe and the truth is not with him: A fact check," 14 July 2018
Tragically, 431 children died in this type of accident between 2000 and 2016, according to a 2017 CPSC report, but older people aren’t immune.

— carolyn l. todd, SELF, "Emergency Responders Share 9 of the Biggest Death Traps in Your Home," 14 July 2018
According to a 2015 report by Act for Youth Center of Excellence, multiple studies show LGBT youth are more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy or be involved in one than their heterosexual peers.

— lauren castle, azcentral, "Arizona groups offer health, housing help to LGBT youth," 14 July 2018
According to a report in Axios, Israel and the United States formed a joint working group in recent months to help support internal opposition to the Tehran regime.

— NBC News, "U.S. refuses European requests for exemptions from its new sanctions on Iran," 14 July 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of report

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from reporter to bring back, report, from Latin reportare, from re- + portare to carry — more at fare

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

report Synonyms

Synonyms

bang, blast, boom, clap, crack, crash, pop, slam, smash, snap, thunderclap, thwack, whack, whomp, whump;

Related Words

thunk, wham;

clang, clangor, clank, clash;

knock, rap, tap;

blare, clamor, howl, hubbub, hue and cry, hullabaloo, outcry, roar, tumult, uproar;

report

verb

Definition of report

reported; reporting; reports

transitive verb

1 a : to give an account of : relate

b : to describe as being in a specified state

reported him much improved

2 a : to serve as carrier of (a message)

b : to relate the words or sense of (something said)

c : to make a written record or summary of

d (1) : to watch for and write about the newsworthy aspects or developments of : cover

(2) : to prepare or present an account of for broadcast

3 a (1) : to give a formal or official account or statement of

the treasurer reported a balance of ten dollars

(2) : to return or present (a matter referred for consideration) with conclusions or recommendations

b : to announce or relate as the result of investigation

reported no sign of disease

c : to announce the presence, arrival, or sighting of

d : to make known to the proper authorities

report a fire

e : to make a charge of misconduct against

intransitive verb

1 a : to give an account : tell

b : to present oneself

reported to the front desk

c : to account for oneself

reported sick on Friday

d : to work as a subordinate

reports to the vice president

2 : to make, issue, or submit a report

3 : to act in the capacity of a reporter

See report defined for English-language learners

Examples of report in a Sentence

The murder was reported in the national news.
Several TV stations are reporting that the police are close to making an arrest.
Their job is to report the news accurately and fairly.
He was asked to report the details of the meeting.
Tomorrow the committee will report its findings on air pollution.
The doctor reported some improvement in her condition.

Recent Examples of report from the Web

The story behind the turkey started sometime in February — possibly earlier as people began reporting sightings.

— kaitlyn schwers, kansascity, "Tina the beloved ‘traffic-stopping’ turkey hit by car. Missouri community mourns loss," 13 July 2018
Rebecca Robbins contributed reporting from San Francisco.

— lev facher, STAT, "Read the fine print: N.J. senator sets up phony health news website to attack challenger Bob Hugin," 13 July 2018
This is consistent with reporting from the New York Times, which found that some migrant parents were asked to pay between $570 and $1,800 to cover the cost of airfare for their children.

— refinery29.com, "How You Can Help Fund The Reunification Of Families Separated At The Border," 13 July 2018
From 1999-2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 25.8 percent increase in suicides in Wisconsin.

— jennifer walter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Deputies save man from jumping off Hoan Bridge," 13 July 2018
Newshub Europe correspondent Lloyd Burr was reporting from Boxpark Croydon — one of London’s best World Cup watch sites — for Wednesday’s semifinal match against Croatia when one fan completely lost his cool.

— andrew joseph, For The Win, "World Cup reporter continued live shot after angry England fan threw beer in his face," 12 July 2018
The pizza chain itself was also dealt a blow after Yahoo reported that the MLB had suspended a promotional deal with Papa John’s.

— jen kirby, Vox, "Papa John’s founder resigns as chairman after using a racial slur on a call," 12 July 2018
Legislators also added provisions to the bill to require political parties to file more frequent and timely campaign finance reports with the state.

— taryn luna, sacbee, "More campaign money could flow to California legislative leaders under new bill," 11 July 2018
Diaz reported from the Washington bureau; Matos from the Austin bureau.

— kevin diaz and alejandra matos, San Antonio Express-News, "O’Rourke vs. Cruz draws millions in contributions from outside of Texas," 11 July 2018

First Known Use of report

14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

report Synonyms

Synonyms

chart, chronicle, describe, narrate, recite, recount, rehearse, relate, tell;

detail, enumerate, itemize, particularize;

bare, disclose, divulge, expose, let on (about), reveal;

delineate, depict, express, render, sketch;

Phrases

set forth;

REPORT Defined for English Language Learners

report

noun

Definition of report for English Language Learners

: a story in a newspaper or on radio or television that is about something that happened or that gives information about something
: a written or spoken description of a situation, event, etc.
: an official document that gives information about a particular subject

report

verb

Definition of report for English Language Learners

: to give information about (something) in a newspaper or on television or radio
: to tell people about (something) : to make a report about (something)
: to describe (a feeling, condition, etc.)

REPORT Defined for Kids

report

noun re·port \ ri-ˈpȯrt \

Definition of report for Students

1 : a usually complete description or statement

a weather report

a book report

2 : a written or spoken statement that may or may not be true

There are reports of a breakthrough.

3 : reputation 1

They're people of evil report.

4 : an explosive noise

the report of a gun

report

verb

Definition of report for Students

reported; reporting

1 : to give a written or spoken description of something

A witness reported what happened.

2 : to make known to the proper authorities

report a fire

3 : to complain about (someone) for misconduct

He will report the bully to the principal.

4 : to make a statement that may or may not be true

The man is reported to be all right.

5 : to prepare or present an account of something (as for television or a newspaper)

6 : to show up

He reports for work at noon.

—

reporter

noun

Synonym Discussion of report

report, describe, and narrate mean to talk or write about something. report is used of giving information to others often after some investigation has been done.

- Newspapers report important events.

describe is used of giving a clear mental picture of an event or situation.

- Students were asked to describe a day at school.

narrate means to tell a story with a beginning and an end.

- The speaker narrated a tale about pirates.

Law Dictionary

report

noun re·port

legal Definition of report

: a usually detailed account or statement: as

a : an account or statement of the facts of a case heard and of the decision and opinion of the court or of a quasi-judicial tribunal determining the case

b : a written submission of a question of law (as by a lower court) to an appellate court for review before final decision is entered

c : a usually formal and sometimes official statement giving the conclusions and recommendations of a person (as a master) or group (as a legislative committee) authorized or delegated to consider a matter or proposal

the committee made an unfavorable report on the bill

d : a usually formal account of the results of an investigation given by a person or group delegated or authorized to make the investigation

e : an analysis of operations and progress and a statement of future plans made at stated intervals by an administrator or executive or group of executives to those to whom such a report is owed