parenthesis
noun
pa·ren·the·sis
pə-ˈren(t)-thə-səs 
plural parentheses
pə-ˈren(t)-thə-ˌsēz
1
a
: an amplifying (see amplify sense 1) or explanatory word, phrase, or sentence inserted in a passage from which it is usually set off by punctuation
explained further in a parenthesis
b
: a remark or passage that departs from the theme of a discourse : digression
The speaker inserted some often amusing parentheses during his speech.
3
: one or both of the curved marks ( ) used in writing and printing to enclose a parenthetical expression or to group a symbolic unit in a logical or mathematical expression
The plant's common name is followed by its Latin name in parentheses.
Synonyms
Examples of parenthesis in a Sentence
there was a parenthesis of silence when the microphone momentarily lost power
Recent Examples on the Web
The number in parentheses is what percentage of ballots the candidate was on last year.
—
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2025
Top 10 With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Listen to this article San Diego Union-Tribune Boys Basketball Rankings
First-place votes in parentheses; points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis:
Team; Record; Points; Last
1.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
The Gulf of Mexico name will appear first for these users, followed by the Gulf of America name in parentheses, said two people with knowledge of the company’s plans, who were not authorized to speak publicly.
—Nico Grant, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for parenthesis 
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.
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2025
Top 10 With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Listen to this article San Diego Union-Tribune Boys Basketball Rankings
First-place votes in parentheses; points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis:
Team; Record; Points; Last
1.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
The Gulf of Mexico name will appear first for these users, followed by the Gulf of America name in parentheses, said two people with knowledge of the company’s plans, who were not authorized to speak publicly.
—Nico Grant, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for parenthesis
Dictionary Entries Near parenthesis
Cite this Entry
“Parenthesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parenthesis. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
parenthesis
noun
pa·ren·the·sis
pə-ˈren(t)-thə-səs
plural parentheses
-thə-ˌsēz
1
: a word, phrase, or sentence inserted in a passage to explain or comment on it
2
: one of a pair of marks ( ) used to enclose a parenthesis or to group units in a mathematical expression
parenthetic
adjective
ˌpar-ən-ˈthet-ik
or parenthetical
-ˈthet-i-kəl
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share