paragraph

1 of 2

noun

par·​a·​graph ˈper-ə-ˌgraf How to pronounce paragraph (audio)
ˈpa-rə-
1
a
: 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
paragraphic adjective

paragraph

2 of 2

verb

paragraphed; paragraphing; paragraphs

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to write paragraphs

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.
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.
Noun
Give each agitation a short, hard-hitting title and write a short paragraph underneath each one, with new lines separated by line breaks. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 In the post’s next paragraph, Swift endorsed Harris. Ben Guarino, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
The emails, some of them paragraphs long, proved their son had lived anything but an isolated and unfulfilled life in his basement bedroom. Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for paragraph 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1764, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of paragraph was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near paragraph

Cite this Entry

“Paragraph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paragraph. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

paragraph

1 of 2 noun
para·​graph
ˈpar-ə-ˌgraf
1
: a part of a writing or speech that develops in an organized manner one point of a subject or gives the words of one speaker
2
: a short written article (as in a newspaper) complete in one section

paragraph

2 of 2 verb
: to divide into or write paragraphs

Legal Definition

paragraph

noun
para·​graph
: a distinct often numbered or otherwise designated section of a document or writing (as a statute or pleading)

More from Merriam-Webster on paragraph

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