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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dill said anyone who wants to reenlist must meet all military health and fitness standards and moral requirements, and will have to provide tax records and other paperwork. Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025 The civil rights team served as a deterrent to border patrol and immigration agents who didn’t want the hassle and paperwork of an investigation, staff said, and its closure signals that rights violations, including those against U.S. citizens, could go unchecked. J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 8 Apr. 2025 Businesses can quickly hire them part-time to help with a sudden increase in demand without needing all the paperwork, benefits and expenses attendant with a full-time employee. Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025 The plan called for a 120-day closing period to finalize the paperwork and financing. Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for paperwork

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paperwork was in 1899

Cite this Entry

“Paperwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paperwork. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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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