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

This is true to the spirit of a woman whose social media accounts have a let-it-all-hang-out quality, with such correct punctuation and grammar optional. —Alexander Larman, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024

In this piece for The Dial, Julia Webster Ayuso reports on the field of forensic linguistics, in which linguists look for patterns in language—syntax, punctuation, spelling, word choice—to find clues in criminal investigations. —Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 22 Nov. 2024

Visual punctuations like this, inserted in conjunction with editor Michael Shade, add a kinetic quality to the film. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024

Minshew led two touchdown drives, the first one capped off by a 20-yard over-the-shoulder pass to DJ Turner, who put some punctuation on a great training camp in Costa Mesa, Calif. —Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 13 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing punctuation

• punctuation mark

Kids 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)