punctuation
noun
punc·tu·a·tion
ˌpəŋk-chə-ˈwā-shən 
1
: the act of punctuating : the state of being punctuated
2
: the act or practice of inserting standardized marks or signs in written matter to clarify the meaning and separate structural units
also
: a system of punctuation
3
: something that contrasts or accentuates
Examples of punctuation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Then, the pandemic hit and the lively punctuation became a signal flare in a cold, gray sea.
—
Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025
As digital communication has evolved, punctuation’s job description has gotten more demanding.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
For comparison, Otter returned a document with three errors related to proper nouns and place names but many more errors in punctuation.
—PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2025
Other punctuation landmines to keep an eye out for:
➼ Hide and Seek: Robert De Niro and Dakota Fanning in a horror movie.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctuation
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Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025
As digital communication has evolved, punctuation’s job description has gotten more demanding.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
For comparison, Otter returned a document with three errors related to proper nouns and place names but many more errors in punctuation.
—PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2025
Other punctuation landmines to keep an eye out for:
➼ Hide and Seek: Robert De Niro and Dakota Fanning in a horror movie.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctuation
Cite this Entry
“Punctuation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctuation. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
punctuation
noun
punc·tu·a·tion
ˌpəŋ(k)-chə-ˈwā-shən
: the act, practice, or system of inserting punctuation marks in written matter to make the meaning clear and separate parts (as clauses or sentences)
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