penmanship
noun
pen·man·ship
ˈpen-mən-ˌship 
1
: the art or practice of writing with the pen
2
: quality or style of handwriting
Examples of penmanship in a Sentence
My third grade teacher thought it was important for us to learn penmanship.
doctors are famous for their illegible penmanship
Recent Examples on the Web
Though cursive instruction was once standard, today’s educators and lawmakers are divided: Should schools emphasize penmanship or keyboard skills?
—
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
The majority of the handwritten documents that need transcribing are from the Revolutionary War when writing in cursive was the standard form of penmanship, the outlet said.
—Danielle Jennings, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
More than 200 years worth of U.S. documents are in need of transcribing (or at least classifying) and the vast majority of them are handwritten in cursive – requiring people who know the flowing, looped form of penmanship.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
But while in his penmanship, the recipe still has her hands all over it.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for penmanship 
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.
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
The majority of the handwritten documents that need transcribing are from the Revolutionary War when writing in cursive was the standard form of penmanship, the outlet said.
—Danielle Jennings, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
More than 200 years worth of U.S. documents are in need of transcribing (or at least classifying) and the vast majority of them are handwritten in cursive – requiring people who know the flowing, looped form of penmanship.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
But while in his penmanship, the recipe still has her hands all over it.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for penmanship
Dictionary Entries Near penmanship
Cite this Entry
“Penmanship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penmanship. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
penmanship
noun
pen·man·ship
-mən-ˌship
1
: the art or practice of writing with the pen
2
: quality or style of handwriting
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share