A paragraph is a section of a piece of writing. A paragraph always begins on a new line and contains at least one sentence.
The length of a paragraph depends on the information it conveys.
Paragraph 81 sets out the rules that should apply if a gift is accepted.
Synonyms: section, part, notice, item More Synonyms of paragraph
paragraph in British English
(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) or paragraphical (ˌparaˈgraphical)
adjective
paragraphically (ˌparaˈgraphically)
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
paragraph in American English
(ˈpærəˌgræf)
noun
1.
a distinct section or subdivision of a chapter, letter, etc., usually dealing with a particular point: it is begun on a new line, often indented
2.
a mark (¶) used as by proofreaders to indicate the beginning of a paragraph or asa sign marking material referred to elsewhere
3.
a brief article, item, or note in a newspaper or magazine
verb transitive
4.
to mention in a paragraph or paragraphs
5.
to separate or arrange in paragraphs
verb intransitive
6.
to write paragraphs, esp. for a newspaper
Derived forms
paragrapher (ˈparaˌgrapher)
noun or ˈparaˌgraphist
paragraphic (ˌparaˈgraphic)
adjective
Word origin
MFr paragraphe < OFr < ML paragraphus, orig., sign marking separation of parts, as of a chapter < Gr paragraphos < para-, beside (see para-1) + graphein, to write (see graphic)
Examples of 'paragraph' in a sentence
paragraph
And those long sentences in long paragraphs.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's the next paragraph I found most interesting.
The Sun (2016)
Three short paragraphs are more than enough.
The Sun (2013)
Your first paragraph last week was flawed.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The first sentence in any paragraph shows the direction the paragraph will take.
Marius, Richard A Short Guide to Writing About History (1995)
Those of a nervous disposition should skip the next few paragraphs.
The Sun (2008)
Or did they take it in turn each to write a paragraph as in a party game?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Now and then the two structures are combined in a single paragraph.
Marius, Richard A Short Guide to Writing About History (1995)
One should not draw a line through a paragraph or write anything on the will.
Laszlo, John (MD) Understanding Cancer (1987)
Writing those last two paragraphs causes a familiar surge of panic.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Past histories are filled out with a telling sentence or paragraph.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
What is the significance of the last paragraph?
Clerk, Jayana & Siegel, Ruth Modern Literatures of the Non-Western World: Where the Waters Are Born (1995)
Far too many sentences and paragraphs end with a row of dots.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He lists his triumphs in a single paragraph.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
She speaks in wholly formed paragraphs.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Let's look at some short paragraphs that lack topic sentences.
Bachmann, Susan (editor) & Barth, Melinda Between Worlds: A Reader, Rhetoric and Handbook (1995)
The next paragraph was the kicker, though.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
For each age write a paragraph about the sort of person you were, because you still are that person.
Hambly, Dr Kenneth Banish Anxiety - how to stop worrying and take charge of your life (1991)
And the dramatically short paragraph.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Only one paragraph made it into the case file seen by the independent reviewer, who is responsible for signing off on the methodology behind payouts.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I will give this bit a short paragraph, though it was to become the longest paragraph of my life.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Fourth, the risk in using images of adults would be similar to the risk of using images of adolescents, so the previous paragraph would apply.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
paragraph
British English: paragraph /ˈpærəˌɡrɑːf; -ˌɡræf/ NOUN
A paragraph is a section of a piece of writing. A paragraph always begins on a new line and contains at least one sentence.
His story was only one paragraph long.
American English: paragraph
Arabic: فِقَرَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: parágrafo
Chinese: 段落
Croatian: paragraf
Czech: odstavec
Danish: afsnit
Dutch: paragraaf
European Spanish: párrafo
Finnish: kappale
French: paragraphe
German: Absatz Schriftstück
Greek: παράγραφος
Italian: paragrafo
Japanese: 段落
Korean: 문단
Norwegian: avsnitt
Polish: akapit
European Portuguese: parágrafo
Romanian: alineat
Russian: параграф
Latin American Spanish: párrafo
Swedish: stycke i text
Thai: ย่อหน้า
Turkish: paragraf
Ukrainian: параграф
Vietnamese: đoạn văn
Chinese translation of 'paragraph'
paragraph
(ˈpærəɡrɑːf)
n(c)
段落 (duànluò) (个(個), gè)
to begin a new paragraph开(開)始一个(個)新的段落 (kāishǐ yī gè xīn de duànluò)
(noun)
Definition
a section of a piece of writing, usually devoted to one idea, which begins on a new line and is often indented
The length of a paragraph should depend on the information it contains.
Synonyms
section
a geological section of a rock
part
He works in a different part of the company.
notice
item
There was an item in the paper about him.
passage
He read a passage from the Bible.
clause
There is a clause in his contract which entitles him to a percentage of the profits.
portion
I have spent a large portion of my life here.
subdivision
Additional synonyms
in the sense of clause
Definition
a section of a legal document such as a will or contract
There is a clause in his contract which entitles him to a percentage of the profits.
Synonyms
section,
condition,
article,
item,
chapter,
rider,
provision,
passage,
point,
part,
heading,
paragraph,
specification,
proviso,
stipulation
in the sense of item
Definition
a piece of information
There was an item in the paper about him.
Synonyms
report,
story,
piece,
account,
note,
feature,
notice,
article,
paragraph,
bulletin,
dispatch,
communiqué,
write-up
in the sense of part
He works in a different part of the company.
Synonyms
branch,
department,
division,
office,
section,
wing,
subdivision,
subsection
Synonyms of 'paragraph'
paragraph
Explore 'paragraph' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of passage
Definition
a section of a written work, speech, or piece of music