hyphenate

[v. hahy-fuh-neyt; adj., n. hahy-fuh-nit, -neyt] /v. ˈhaɪ fəˌneɪt; adj., n. ˈhaɪ fə nɪt, -ˌneɪt/
verb (used with object), hyphenated, hyphenating.
1.
to join by a hyphen.
2.
to write or divide with a hyphen.
adjective
3.
of or pertaining to something of distinct form or origin that has been joined; connected by a hyphen.
noun
4.
Informal. a person working or excelling in more than one craft or occupation:
He's a film-industry hyphenate, usually listed as a writer-director-producer.
Origin
1850-55; hyphen + -ate1
Related forms
hyphenation, noun
Examples from the web for hyphenate
  • If they decide to quadruple-hyphenate their kids' names, so be it.
  • Most military histories hyphenate years of conflict and inscribe them on a tombstone formed by parentheses.
  • hyphenate when used as a compound adjective: long-range plan long-term, short-term.
  • Don't hyphenate words that use ex-to mean out of: excommunicate.
  • hyphenate when using ex-to mean former: ex-director.
  • Do not hyphenate elementary level, secondary level, or school level.
  • For hyphenated names, the entry is alphabetized under the first letter of the hyphenate and a cross reference is provided.
  • Use the hyphen to hyphenate two words in a compound adjective or words with a hyphenated prefix.
  • Most authors tend to hyphenate many words which should be written unhyphenated.
  • If the last word on a line does not fit completely on the line, do not hyphenate the word and continue the word on the next line.
British Dictionary definitions for hyphenate

hyphenate

/ˈhaɪfəˌneɪt/
verb
1.
(transitive) to separate (syllables, words, etc) with a hyphen
Derived Forms
hyphenation, noun
Word Origin and History for hyphenate
v.

1881, from hyphen + -ate (2). The earlier verb was simply hyphen (1814). Related: Hyphenated; hyphenating. Hyphenated American is attested from 1889.