1
a
: the study of the classes of words, their inflections (see inflection sense 2), and their functions and relations in the sentence
b
: a study of what is to be preferred and what avoided in inflection (see inflection sense 2) and syntax (see syntax sense 1)
2
a
: the characteristic system of inflections (see inflection sense 2) and syntax of a language
b
: a system of rules that defines the grammatical structure of a language
3
a
: a grammar textbook
b
: speech or writing evaluated according to its conformity to grammatical rules
appalled at the bad grammar of college students
4
: the principles or rules of an art, science, or technique
a grammar of the theater
also
: a set of such principles or rules
Synonyms
Examples of grammar in a Sentence
English grammar can be hard to master.
comparing English and Japanese grammar
comparing the grammars of English and Japanese
“Him and I went” is bad grammar.
I know some German, but my grammar isn't very good.
Recent Examples on the Web
This was the arrogance of it… my notes were grammar and diction.
—
Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Dec. 2024
Speaking styles shape how people perceive each other, and they’re often divided into two categories: accents, which revolve around the pronunciation of words, and dialects, which cover pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Dec. 2024
Think Go and Run Lola Run, but with poor grammar, fake addresses, thumbless buffoons, and hillbillies picking up hitchhikers.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
Properly probing a single, subtle element of grammar, like the use of tone or the way clauses are chained together, can be a serious accomplishment, not to mention the unsung arts of lexicography, transcription and archiving.
—Ross Perlin, The Dial, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grammar 
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Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Dec. 2024
Speaking styles shape how people perceive each other, and they’re often divided into two categories: accents, which revolve around the pronunciation of words, and dialects, which cover pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Dec. 2024
Think Go and Run Lola Run, but with poor grammar, fake addresses, thumbless buffoons, and hillbillies picking up hitchhikers.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
Properly probing a single, subtle element of grammar, like the use of tone or the way clauses are chained together, can be a serious accomplishment, not to mention the unsung arts of lexicography, transcription and archiving.
—Ross Perlin, The Dial, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grammar
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Dictionary Entries Near grammar
Cite this Entry
“Grammar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grammar. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grammar
noun
gram·mar
ˈgram-ər 
1
: the study of the classes of words, their inflections, and their functions and relations in a language
2
: the facts of language with which grammar deals
3
a
: a grammar textbook
b
: speech or writing evaluated according to its conformity to grammatical rules
"Him and I went" is bad grammar
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