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
—often used with as
per instructions
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
1
period
2
person
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
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
Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025
Tickets for the event are $10 per person, with proceeds benefitting Sauce Milwaukee, a nonprofit that feeds the hungry by delivering homemade meals by bicycle.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The Senate also passed, by wide margins, legislation already passed by the House that will remove the 6% sales tax from fuel sales and raise the fuel tax by 20 cents per gallon, leaving the price motorists pay at the pump about the same.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
For example, a three-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Glory, departing on June 5, 2026, during summer vacation, currently starts at $554 per person based on double occupancy, according to Carnival's website.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for per
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Preposition
The Dallas offense has been firing on all cylinders thus far, ranking first in the NFL in total yards per game through the first four games of the season.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025
Tickets for the event are $10 per person, with proceeds benefitting Sauce Milwaukee, a nonprofit that feeds the hungry by delivering homemade meals by bicycle.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The Senate also passed, by wide margins, legislation already passed by the House that will remove the 6% sales tax from fuel sales and raise the fuel tax by 20 cents per gallon, leaving the price motorists pay at the pump about the same.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
For example, a three-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Glory, departing on June 5, 2026, during summer vacation, currently starts at $554 per person based on double occupancy, according to Carnival's website.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for per
Cite this Entry
“Per.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/per. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
Legal Definition
per
preposition
: as stated by
—used to indicate the author of an opinion with which the majority of judges concur
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