report

1 of 2

noun

re·​port ri-ˈpȯrt How to pronounce report (audio)
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

report

2 of 2

verb

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
Phrases
on report
: subject to disciplinary action
was put on report for the violation

Examples of report in a Sentence

Noun 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. Verb 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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Officers had received a report around 2:30 a.m. of a driver asleep at the wheel on Highway 74. Pat Saperstein, Variety, 24 Nov. 2023 Hopes were raised by a report Thursday on the pan-Arab website Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, citing an unnamed Egyptian source, that the Thai hostages could be released in a deal brokered by Iran that is unrelated to the Israel-Hamas agreement. Jay Gray, NBC News, 24 Nov. 2023 In addition, two lawsuits accuse him of drugging and raping multiple victims in the small East Tennessee town for years, and allege that local police did little to investigate the reports. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2023 This turned out to be the Marvel Cinematic Universe's worst-ever box office opening weekend, per multiple reports. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023 The dismissal followed a Vatican investigation earlier this year into the administration of the Tyler diocese, which Catholic media reports said included a review of his handling of financial affairs. Reuters, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2023 Previous reports have also shown that Engoron donated to Democrats for decades prior to this case. Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner, 12 Nov. 2023 According to its latest diversity report, in 2021, only 1.7 per cent of its faculty members were Black. Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2023 According to a new Pew Research Center report, tipping culture in America has seen a shift in recent years. Victoria Song, The Verge, 11 Nov. 2023
Verb
Earlier this month, Chinese authorities from the National Health Commission reported an increase in respiratory diseases in China, prompting the WHO to press the CCP for data on the outbreak. Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 25 Nov. 2023 The Telegraph reported that Gurdon was also present at the coronation of King Charles along with Lloyd Webber, who composed an anthem for the occasion. Melissa Girimonte, Peoplemag, 25 Nov. 2023 Escobedo also reported owning a record label, Magic Records Corporation. Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2023 Qatari and Egyptian mediators say Hamas agreed to release 13 Israelis and seven foreigners on Saturday in exchange for 39 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, the Associated Press reported. CBS News, 25 Nov. 2023 Planes Are Being Disrupted by GPS Spoofing and Electronic Warfare Some flights have had to change course or lost satellite signals in midair due to electronic warfare, The New York Times reported this week. Matt Burgess, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2023 Wood reported raising $32,068.55 in contributions and $3,908.05 in expenses in October. Michael R. Wickline, arkansasonline.com, 25 Nov. 2023 Local labs and medical providers reported 942 coronavirus, 425 flu and 297 respiratory syncytial virus cases to the public health department last week. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2023 Hours before the arrest, Haddish, 43, performed at the West Hollywood Laugh Factory, at a free Thanksgiving event, TMZ reported. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'report.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of report was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near report

Cite this Entry

“Report.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/report. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

report

1 of 2 noun
re·​port ri-ˈpō(ə)rt How to pronounce report (audio)
-ˈpȯ(ə)rt
1
a
: common talk : rumor
b
: reputation sense 1
people of evil report
2
: a usually detailed account or statement
a news report
wrote a report of the meeting
3
: an explosive noise
the report of a gun

report

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make a statement about or description of : relate
2
a
: to describe and discuss in a newspaper article or broadcast
report a baseball game
b
: to act as a reporter
report on the latest developments
3
a
: to return or present (a matter officially given over to a committee) with conclusions and suggestions
b
: to make known to the proper authorities
report a fire
c
: to make a charge of misconduct against
report a student for lateness
4
a
: to present oneself
report for duty
b
: to work as a subordinate
reports to the vice president

Legal Definition

report

1 of 2 noun
re·​port
: 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
the board of directors issued its annual report to the stockholders

report

2 of 2 transitive verb
1
a
: to make a written record or summary of
report a case
b
: to make a shorthand record of
2
a
: to give a formal or official account or statement of
b
: to return or present (a matter officially referred for consideration) with conclusions or recommendations
specifically : report out
c
: to announce or relate as the result of a special search, examination, or investigation
d
: to make known to the proper authorities
reported the fire
e
: to make a charge of misconduct against
reported him for harassment

intransitive verb

1
: to present oneself
reported for jury duty
2
: to make, issue, submit, or present a report
the committee will report this afternoon

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