3
b
: to give expression to : communicate
a glance that said all that was necessary
: to express oneself : speak
1
: an expression of opinion
had my say
2
: a right or power to influence action or decision
especially
: the authority to make final decisions
3
archaic
: something that is said : statement
1
: about, approximately
the property is worth, say, four million dollars
2
: for example : as
if we compress any gas, say oxygen
Examples of say in a Sentence
Verb
“Is anybody there?” he said.
“Good morning,” said the woman behind the counter.
I said three words before he interrupted me again.
I just stopped by to say hello.
He left without saying goodbye.
I wanted to say thank you for all you've done for me.
She said something about going to the store after work.
He said something in French.
Anything you say to the police can be used as evidence against you.
Don't believe a word he says.
Noun
Everybody had a say at the meeting.
We won't make a decision until all members have had their say.
The judge will have the final say on the divorce settlement.
He had no say in the matter.
Adverb
a person consumes, say, 2000 calories a day
Recent Examples on the Web
Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
In addition to frequent password updates, individuals will need to be more alert about the increasing amount of malware hiding in illegitimate software, applications and other downloadable files, Valenzuela said.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
The provision gives the president the power to appoint a board member and have a say in company decisions that affect domestic steel production and competition with overseas producers.
—Marc Levy, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for say
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.
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Verb
An unknown gunman shot the boy while inside an apartment on the 6400 block of South Ingleside Avenue just after 6 p.m., police said.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
In addition to frequent password updates, individuals will need to be more alert about the increasing amount of malware hiding in illegitimate software, applications and other downloadable files, Valenzuela said.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Noun
Investors won’t have a say in SpaceX’s strategic direction or Musk’s next launchpad move.
—Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
The provision gives the president the power to appoint a board member and have a say in company decisions that affect domestic steel production and competition with overseas producers.
—Marc Levy, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for say
Cite this Entry
“Say.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/say. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
say
1 of 3 verb1
2
a
: utter entry 2 sense 2, pronounce
can't say more than three words without laughing
b
: recite sense 1, repeat
said my prayers
3
a
: indicate sense 2, show
the clock says five minutes after ten
b
: to give expression to : communicate
the look on his face said it all
4
: suppose sense 1, assume
let's say you're right
say
2 of 3 noun1
: an expression of opinion
had my say
2
: the power to decide or help decide
had no say in the plans
say
3 of 3 adverb1
: about as much or as many as
is worth, say, ten dollars
2
: as an example
pick any state, say Iowa
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