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

Gen Z versus millennials The BofA analysis found that older millennials spent the most on hobbies in the three months to August, spending more than double per consumer than Gen Z, the cohort BofA identified as spending the least. — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026

The ensemble, loosely based on a design from Saint Laurent’s fall 2017 ready-to-wear collection, per Chali’s stylist Chris Horan, was crafted with a velvety fabric and a sheer element at the bust for a sensual edge. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026

After averaging 43 pass attempts per game entering Saturday, FIU flipped the script against LIU, running the ball 39 times compared to just 21 pass attempts. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026

Computer simulations and dynamic modeling performed by the team show that lowering this energy barrier boosts speed from under 100 flips per second to over 400,000 flips per second, ultimately generating over a million random bits every second. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 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