paragraph

[par-uh-graf, -grahf] /ˈpær əˌgræf, -ˌgrɑf/
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)
4.
to divide into paragraphs.
5.
to write or publish paragraphs about, as in a newspaper.
6.
to express in a paragraph.
Origin
1515-25; earlier paragraphe < Greek paragraphḗ marked passage; see para-1, graph
Related forms
paragraphism, noun
paragraphistical
[par-uh-gruh-fis-ti-kuh l] /ˌpær ə grəˈfɪs tɪ kəl/ (Show IPA), adjective
subparagraph, noun
unparagraphed, adjective
well-paragraphed, adjective
Examples from the web for paragraphs
  • The following paragraphs will describe the direct family and close friends.
  • The paragraphs mark the progression from minimal to conceptual art.
British Dictionary definitions for paragraphs

paragraph

/ˈpærəˌɡrɑːf; -ˌɡræf/
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 (transitive)
4.
to form into paragraphs
5.
to express or report in a paragraph
Derived Forms
paragraphic (ˌpærəˈɡræfɪk), paragraphical, adjective
paragraphically, adverb
Word Origin
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
Word Origin and History for paragraphs

paragraph

n.

late 15c., from Middle French paragraphe "division of text" (13c., Old French paragrafe), from Medieval Latin paragraphus "sign for start of a new section of discourse" (the sign looked something like a stylized letter -P-), from Greek paragraphos "short stroke in the margin marking a break in sense," also "a passage so marked," literally "anything written beside," from paragraphein "write by the side," from para- "beside" (see para- (1)) + graphein "to write" (see -graphy).

paragraphs in Culture

paragraph definition


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.