paperwork

noun

pa·​per·​work ˈpā-pər-ˌwərk How to pronounce paperwork (audio)
: routine clerical or recordkeeping work often incidental to a more important task

Examples of paperwork in a Sentence

She failed to file the paperwork on time. The lawyer had us fill in the paperwork for the mortgage.
Recent Examples on the Web Antczak is running as a write-in after having been removed from the ballot over a paperwork error. Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 The company also has posted paperwork on the doors of its future location in the shopping center. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 The monarch continues to undertake state business and paperwork behind the scenes, and most recently met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, who is the head of the government treasury, at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 Whether intentionally or out of a lack of knowledge, administrators often require Mexican social security numbers or other paperwork that excludes those uprooted. Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2024 The pair of boaters were heading to the Dominican Republic but did not have the proper licenses or paperwork for exporting wildlife, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit filed by prosecutors on Feb. 22. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 State and local governments in New York and Illinois kicked into high gear toward the end of last year to get paperwork moving. Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 The onboarding process is long and tedious, requiring hours of paperwork. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 However, his paperwork was flagged by county staff. Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paperwork.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paperwork was in 1899

Dictionary Entries Near paperwork

Cite this Entry

“Paperwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paperwork. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

paperwork

noun
pa·​per·​work -ˌwərk How to pronounce paperwork (audio)
: routine office or record-keeping work

More from Merriam-Webster on paperwork

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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