paperwork
noun
pa·per·work
| \ ˈpā-pər-ˌwərk
\
\
Definition of paperwork
: routine clerical or record-keeping work often incidental to a more important task
Examples of paperwork in a Sentence
She failed to file the paperwork on time.
The lawyer had us fill in the paperwork for the mortgage.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Times reviewed a number of asylum seekers’ paperwork on which CBP officers had put incomplete addresses or provided no translation. — Los Angeles Times, "Trump administration appears to violate law in forcing asylum seekers back to Mexico, officials warn," 28 Aug. 2019 Expense money directed to executive assistants to augment their pay without timely filing of paperwork. — Robert Higgs, cleveland.com, "Cleveland council President Kevin Kelley vows to tighten rules after audit finds members expenses were approved despite incomplete reports," 27 Aug. 2019 Biotech startups need to consider patent applications, health and safety regulations and a whole host of biotech-specific paperwork. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Ex-Googler’s startup studio picks 2 San Diego scientists to lead first venture," 24 Aug. 2019 That's a lot of secret paperwork for a case that had no lawsuit and no criminal or civil charges filed against the sender. — Dallas News, "It's been a year. So, what actually happened when mercury spilled in the Coppell mail center?," 10 Aug. 2019 Is everyone who seeks to crash the U.S. southern border inherently a noble person, or at least more noble than an Indian Ph.D. or a Korean M.D., waiting legally and patiently to enter the U.S. after years of paperwork and fees? — Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, "Democrats’ Debate Cowardice, Hypocrisy, and Nuttiness," 6 Aug. 2019 When a Delta agent asked them to fill out a new set of paperwork for the pooch, Kroy stayed behind, planning to meet Kim and the kids at the gate. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Kim Zolciak-Biermann Claims Delta Agent Removed Her Kids from Plane While She Was in Bathroom," 1 Aug. 2019 Why do people ask rude questions when a simple check of paperwork would satisfy their curiosity? — Dear Abby, oregonlive.com, "Dear Abby: Cat’s out of the bag on parents’ clandestine bankruptcy related to lavish lifestyle," 29 July 2019 Why do people ask rude questions when a simple check of paperwork would satisfy their curiosity? — Abigail Van Buren, Twin Cities, "Dear Abby: Sisters puzzle over response to parents’ secret bankruptcy," 29 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'paperwork.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for paperwork
paperwork
noun
English Language Learners Definition of paperwork
: routine work that involves writing letters, reports, etc.
: the official documents that are needed for something to happen or be done
See the full definition for paperwork in the English Language Learners Dictionary
paperwork
noun
pa·per·work
| \ ˈpā-pər-ˌwərk
\
\
Kids Definition of paperwork
: the documents that are a requirement for or a routine part of something
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