paragraph

noun
par·​a·​graph | \ ˈper-ə-ˌgraf How to pronounce paragraph (audio) , ˈpa-rə-\

Definition of paragraph

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a subdivision of a written composition that consists of one or more sentences, deals with one point or gives the words of one speaker, and begins on a new usually indented line The introductory paragraphs were written by the editor.
b : a short composition or note that is complete in one paragraph
2 : a character (such as ¶) used to indicate the beginning of a paragraph and as a reference mark

paragraph

verb
paragraphed; paragraphing; paragraphs

Definition of paragraph (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to write paragraphs about
2 : to divide into paragraphs

intransitive verb

: to write paragraphs

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Other Words from paragraph

Noun

paragraphic \ ˌper-​ə-​ˈgra-​fik How to pronounce paragraphic (audio) , ˌpa-​rə-​ \ adjective

Examples of paragraph in a Sentence

Noun

In the second paragraph from the bottom, you've misspelled “their” as “thier.” Please refer to section 2, paragraph 4 for the appropriate information. The two introductory paragraphs were written by the editor.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In its final paragraph, the four-page study extrapolated experimental findings from a small group of 21 undecided voters to the electorate as a whole using mathematical models Epstein reported in an earlier paper. Washington Post, "Trump attacks on Google recycle baseless claims," 20 Aug. 2019 The businessman then consulted with unspecified others and suggested adding a paragraph praising the powerful princes of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the text messages show. Isaac Arnsdorf, ProPublica, "Trump Adviser Tom Barrack Pushed for Saudi Nuclear Deal — and Planned to Profit From It," 30 July 2019 Hine, who merits his own paragraph, is that rare figure in cultural history: an accomplished artist who helped accomplish social change. Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, "At the Gardner: When some plans are bigger than others," 19 June 2019 But the paragraph before was a rascally story about when Penny was studying at MIT and how he got caught by campus police helping his buddy's girlfriend climb back into her dorm room window after curfew. Bart Weiss, Dallas News, "Dallas critic remembers D.A. Pennebaker, creator of the Dylan myth, modern documentary and music video," 5 Aug. 2019 Why devote a single sentence, much less many paragraphs, to betting lines that don’t impact the bottom line? Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, "Las Vegas speaks, and it likes the Pac-12 in season openers: Nine favorites expected by kickoff," 17 July 2019 That last paragraph felt uncomfortably like an excerpt from Hello Magazine...back to the football! SI.com, "Wimbledon: Biggest Football Stars Spotted in SW19 So Far," 12 July 2019 In a three-paragraph order, the judge rejected Oracle’s allegations that potential conflicts of interest weren’t properly investigated. Ryan Tracy, WSJ, "Pentagon Wins Lawsuit Over Massive Cloud-Computing Contract," 12 July 2019 In just four short paragraphs, UConn president Susan Herbst declared in a letter sent to the conference commissioner and leaders at member universities her university’s intentions to sever ties with the American Athletic Conference. Dan Brechlin, courant.com, "UConn formally withdraws from AAC in letter to conference commissioner; hopes to discuss relationship, if any," 11 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'paragraph.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of paragraph

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1764, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for paragraph

Noun and Verb

Middle English paragraf marginal sign marking a paragraph, from Anglo-French parogref, from Medieval Latin paragraphus, from Greek paragraphos line used to mark change of persons in a dialogue, from paragraphein to write alongside, from para- + graphein to write — more at carve

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More Definitions for paragraph

paragraph

noun

English Language Learners Definition of paragraph

: a part of a piece of writing that usually deals with one subject, that begins on a new line, and that is made up of one or more sentences

paragraph

noun
para·​graph | \ ˈper-ə-ˌgraf How to pronounce paragraph (audio) \

Kids Definition of paragraph

: a part of a piece of writing that is made up of one or more sentences and has to do with one topic or gives the words of one speaker

paragraph

noun
para·​graph

Legal Definition of paragraph

: a distinct often numbered or otherwise designated section of a document or writing (as a statute or pleading)

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