report

noun

re·port | \ ri-ˈpȯrt

Definition of report

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

b : quality of reputation a witness of good report

2a : 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

report

verb

reported; reporting; reports

Definition of report (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to give an account of : relate

b : to describe as being in a specified state reported him much improved

2a : 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

3a(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

1a : 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

Other Words from report Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about report

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Choose the Right Synonym for report

Verb

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.

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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Photo: Getty Friday’s employment report was a study in contrasts, showing that hiring slowed last month but that the unemployment rate fell and wage growth picked up. — Justin Lahart, WSJ, "What If This Jobs Report Is no Fluke?," 8 Mar. 2019 Other reports from India and Colombia started to trickle in about teens allegedly killing themselves due to their involvement in the game. — Alison Caporimo, Seventeen, "Is The Momo Challenge Finally Over?!," 6 Mar. 2019 Alas, new and reliable reports suggest Lightning is here to stay. — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, "Why the iPhone Won't Dump Lightning for USB-C Even Though the iPad Pro Did," 11 Feb. 2019 Jonathan, who People reports is a retired judge, echoed his future bride’s sentiments with a collage of his own. — Megan Stein, Country Living, "'Law & Order' Star Elisabeth Röhm Is Engaged and Her Ring Is Unbelievable," 31 Jan. 2019 But now, a new report is providing more details about the chic rustic estate. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "All the New Details About Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Country Estate," 11 Jan. 2019 Cuthbert says that the report her moves were calculated isn't true. — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, "'Fiji Water Girl' Kelleth Cuthbert Tells Us: 'This Is Something I Would Go Viral For'," 7 Jan. 2019 Sunrise Movement If the recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is to be believed, humanity has just over a decade to get carbon emissions under control before catastrophic climate change impacts become unavoidable. — David Roberts, Vox, "The Green New Deal, explained," 21 Dec. 2018 By early afternoon, reports of irregularities were mounting. — Joe Parkinson, WSJ, "Nigeria’s Election Gets Under Way After a Stop-Start Runup," 23 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Warren Buffett’s announcement in his annual letter that Berkshire Hathaway would no longer report its remarkable record of wealth creation in terms of book value caused a stir. — Spencer Jakab, WSJ, "Warren Buffett, by the Book," 26 Feb. 2019 ClassPass identified recovery classes as the fastest-growing trend in 2017, reporting a 16 percent increase in clients booking meditation, restorative, and recovery classes. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "What Is a Stretch Studio? Here’s What You Need to Know About This Growing Fitness Trend," 24 Feb. 2019 Ultimately, Brown reports, Acosta caved under the pressure. — Jane Coaston, Vox, "Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who is friends with Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, explained," 22 Feb. 2019 Despite that, there are now reports that Kylie and Jordyn's relationship is not completely over. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Everything You Need to Know About Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods' Friendship," 21 Feb. 2019 The Wall Street Journal on Monday published details of the FAA probe into Southwest's baggage-weight policy, which notes discrepancies between the baggage weights reported to pilots and the actual weight of an aircraft during takeoff. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "FAA: Southwest Airlines Miscalculated Baggage Weights to an Alarming Degree," 19 Feb. 2019 Both People magazine and Entertainment Tonight report the dating rumors between Theron and Pitt are false. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "So About the Rumor That Charlize Theron and Brad Pitt Are Dating...," 22 Jan. 2019 The apology came in response to reporting from the Washington Post. — Theodore Schleifer, Recode, "Reid Hoffman is learning an early rule of being a megadonor: It’s hard to keep track of your money," 26 Dec. 2018 The technical report and application are reported to the board, and the board then asks the delegate from the candidate’s region for further commentary. — Kaitlin Menza, Town & Country, "Inside the Secret Application Process to Become a Relais & Châteaux Hotel," 31 Jan. 2019

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.

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Statistics for report

Last Updated

14 Mar 2019

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

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More Definitions for report

report

noun

English Language Learners Definition of report

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

English Language Learners Definition of report (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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.)

See the full definition for report in the English Language Learners Dictionary

report

noun

re·port | \ ri-ˈpȯrt

Kids Definition of report

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 sense 1 They're people of evil report.

4 : an explosive noise the report of a gun

report

verb

reported; reporting

Kids Definition of report (Entry 2 of 2)

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.

report

noun

re·port

Legal Definition of report

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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