comma

noun

com·​ma ˈkä-mə 

1

: a punctuation mark, used especially as a mark of separation within the sentence

2

: pause, interval

3

: any of several nymphalid butterflies (genus Polygonia) with a silvery comma-shaped mark on the underside of the hind wings

Examples of comma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After her name, there is frequently only a comma and the description: the fiancé of Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon. —Laura Trujillo, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2024

People who know me can understand my position on things based on punctuation marks, my commas. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2024

The rise and fall from comma to comma, the full stop in a period: In the face of uncertainty, of not knowing when the pain will end, Small Rain’s sentences transform the clinical narration of a hospital stay into the soothing murmur of a prayer, or the steady sound of rain. —Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2024

My new thing is teaching people about something called the Cambridge comma. —Riane Konc, The New Yorker, 29 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Latin, part of a sentence, from Greek komma segment, clause, from koptein to cut — more at capon

First Known Use

1554, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing comma

• comma fault
• comma splice
• inverted comma

Video

The Serial Comma Explained

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

Kids Definition

comma

noun

com·​ma ˈkäm-ə 

: a punctuation mark , used chiefly to show separation of words or word groups within a sentence