comma

noun

com·​ma ˈkä-mə How to pronounce comma (audio)
1
: a punctuation mark, used especially as a mark of separation within the sentence
2
3
: any of several nymphalid butterflies (genus Polygonia) with a silvery comma-shaped mark on the underside of the hind wings

Examples of comma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On Sunday, Inside Out 2 crossed $1 billion in ticket sales worldwide, becoming this year’s highest-grossing film and the first since Barbie to join the three comma club. Chris Lee, Vulture, 4 July 2024 After her name, there is frequently only a comma and the description: the fiancé of Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon. Laura Trujillo, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2024 People who know me can understand my position on things based on punctuation marks, my commas. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2024 The rise and fall from comma to comma, the full stop in a period: In the face of uncertainty, of not knowing when the pain will end, Small Rain’s sentences transform the clinical narration of a hospital stay into the soothing murmur of a prayer, or the steady sound of rain. Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for comma 

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Latin, part of a sentence, from Greek komma segment, clause, from koptein to cut — more at capon

First Known Use

1554, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of comma was in 1554

Dictionary Entries Near comma

Cite this Entry

“Comma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comma. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

comma

noun
com·​ma ˈkäm-ə How to pronounce comma (audio)
: a punctuation mark , used chiefly to show separation of words or word groups within a sentence
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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