per

1 of 4

preposition

ˈpər 

1

: by the means or agency of : through

per bearer

2

: with respect to every member of a specified group : for each

3

: according to

per instructions

—often used with as

as per usual

Using Per as a Preposition: Usage Guide

Per occurs most frequently in business contexts; its use outside such contexts is often criticized but is quite widespread, especially in sense 2. Its most common and natural nonbusiness uses always involve figures, usually in relation to price,

$150 per performance

automobiles,

32 miles per gallon

55 miles per hour

or sports.

averages 15 points and 9 rebounds per game

per

2 of 4

adverb

: for each : apiece

a bargain at $3.50 per

per

3 of 4

abbreviation

1

period

2

person

per-

4 of 4

prefix

1

: throughout : thoroughly

peruse

2

a

: containing the largest possible or a relatively large proportion of a (specified) chemical element

perchloroethylene

b

: containing an element in its highest or a high oxidation state

perchloric acid

Synonyms of per

Preposition

• via
• by
• with
• through
• in

Adverb

• each

Examples of per in a Sentence

Preposition

The speed limit is 35 miles per hour.

The car gets 32 miles per gallon.

He averages 15 points per game.

Per your advice, I accepted their offer.

Adverb

you can have them at 50 cents per or three for $1.25

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

The company also said that, depending on the application, a single AIR unit could handle workloads equivalent to as many as three workers per shift. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2026

Offline now features more than 900 communities altogether, says Roth, with hosts making an average payout of $2,500 to $3,000 per event. — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2026

Its caseworkers are largely new and low-paid, and the call center Florida told the courts could fill the gaps in its notices gives agents only minutes per caller. — Sharmila Venkatasubban, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026

At the discretion of the masters, the cause may be set for a pretrial conference or other hearings, per the procedural rules. — Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

Latin, through, by means of, by — more at for

Prefix

Latin, through, throughout, thoroughly, detrimental to, from per

First Known Use

Preposition

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1899, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing per

• an/per hour
• as per
• as per usual
• pay-per-view
• per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
• per annum
• per capita
• per cent
• per centum
• per contra
• per curiam
• per diem
• per head
• per mensem
• per mill
• per se
• per second per second
• per stirpes

Rhymes for per

• birr
• blur
• bur
• cur
• er
• fir
• fur
• furr
• gurr
• her
• murr
• myrrh

Kids Definition

per

preposition

(ˈ)pər

1

: by means of

2

: to or for each

$10 per day

3

: as indicated by : according to

per list price

Medical Definition

per

1 of 2 preposition

ˈpər 

: by the means or agency of : by way of : through

enter through the mouth lining and per the bloodstream to the stomach

—Sydney (Australia) Bulletin

blood per rectum

see per os

per

2 of 2 abbreviation

1

period; periodic

2

person

Legal Definition

per

preposition

ˈpər 

: as stated by

—used to indicate the author of an opinion with which the majority of judges concur