paragraph

[par-uh-graf, -grahf]

noun

1. a distinct portion of written or printed matter dealing with a particular idea, usually beginning with an indentation on a new line.

2. a paragraph mark.

3. a note, item, or brief article, as in a newspaper.

verb (used with object)

1. to divide into paragraphs.

2. to write or publish paragraphs about, as in a newspaper.

3. to express in a paragraph.

paragraph

/ ˈpærəˌɡrɑːf, -ˌɡræf, ˌpærəˈɡræfɪk /

noun

1. (in a piece of writing) one of a series of subsections each usually devoted to one idea and each usually marked by the beginning of a new line, indentation, increased interlinear space, etc

2. printing the character ¶, used as a reference mark or to indicate the beginning of a new paragraph

3. a short article in a newspaper

verb

1. to form into paragraphs

2. to express or report in a paragraph

paragraph

1. A basic unit of prose. It is usually composed of several sentences that together develop one central idea. The main sentence in a paragraph is called the topic sentence.

Other Word Forms

• paragraphic adjective
• paragraphically adverb
• paragraphism noun
• paragraphistical adjective
• subparagraph noun
• unparagraphed adjective
• well-paragraphed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paragraph¹

1515–25; earlier paragraphe < Greek paragraphḗ marked passage; para- ¹, graph

Word History and Origins

Origin of paragraph¹

C16: from Medieval Latin paragraphus, from Greek paragraphos line drawing attention to part of a text, from paragraphein to write beside, from _para- ¹ + graphein to write

Example Sentences

"I scribble and sketch, but shift quickly to the computer. I thought I'd write the whole manuscript longhand - by the third paragraph I gave up."

From BBC

During a July forum about a document on sustainable development, the U.S. delegate, Shrier, asked for a vote on several paragraphs about gender, climate change and various forms of discrimination.

From Salon

You will underline sentences and circle entire paragraphs.

From Salon

Even Arawaka was not slated to receive anything herself, only as trustee, but the will does mention his children in a paragraph describing his family.

From Salon

As the story acknowledges four paragraphs in, Johnson “opposed a procedural motion advanced on Tuesday by Democrats that would have set up a House vote to release them.”

From Salon

Related Words

• clause 
• portion 
• quotation 
• reading 
• section 
• sentence 
• text 
• transition 
• verse