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.
Documenting Sales Cementing the massive tax benefits of qualified small business stock may ultimately come down to the very pedestrian issue of paperwork and the multiyear retention of those documents. Kristin McKenna, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025 The man was described in arrest paperwork as being armed with a rifle. Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025 The Congressional Budget Office reported Wednesday that shorter enrollment periods, formula adjustments and paperwork requirements and other changes together would result in millions more people uninsured by 2034 over previous projections. Jovi Dai, Mercury News, 6 June 2025 Instead of China’s current licensing regime, the EU trade chief said the bloc prefers a systematic solution, such as a general application once a year for each company, to avoid paperwork delays and stress applied to the industry. John Liu, CNN Money, 5 June 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 13 Jun. 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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