per

1 of 4

preposition

ˈpər

Synonyms of per next

: by the means or agency of : through

per bearer

: with respect to every member of a specified group : for each

: according to

—often used with as

per instructions

as per usual

Using Per as a Preposition: Usage Guide

Per occurs most frequently in business contexts; its use outside such contexts is often criticized but is quite widespread, especially in sense 2. Its most common and natural nonbusiness uses always involve figures, usually in relation to price

$150 per performance

, automobiles

32 miles per gallon

55 miles per hour

, or sports.

averages 15 points and 9 rebounds per game

per

2 of 4

adverb

: for each : apiece

a bargain at $3.50 per

per

3 of 4

abbreviation

period

person

per-

4 of 4

prefix

: throughout : thoroughly

peruse

: containing the largest possible or a relatively large proportion of a (specified) chemical element

perchloroethylene

: containing an element in its highest or a high oxidation state

perchloric acid

Examples of per in a Sentence

Preposition The speed limit is 35 miles per hour. The car gets 32 miles per gallon. He averages 15 points per game. Per your advice, I accepted their offer. Adverb you can have them at 50 cents per or three for $1.25

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

The music video features the singer-songwriter and Post Malone, who features on the single, cast as ex-lovers who, per the lyrics, carried on an affair that only lasted 14 days. —

J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024 Its offer of 15 euros per share is 21% above the share price the day before the consortium announced its takeover bid and 38.2% above the average of the last 20 trading days, according to the announcement. —

Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for per

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

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

Latin, through, by means of, by — more at for

Prefix

Latin, through, throughout, thoroughly, detrimental to, from per

First Known Use

Preposition

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of per was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Per.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/per. Accessed 4 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

per

preposition

(ˈ)pər

: by means of

: to or for each

$10 per day

: as indicated by : according to

per list price

Medical Definition

per

1 of 2 preposition

ˈpər

: by the means or agency of : by way of : through

enter through the mouth lining and per the bloodstream to the stomach—

Sydney (Australia) Bulletin

blood per rectum

see per os

per

2 of 2 abbreviation

period; periodic

person

Legal Definition

per

preposition

ˈpər

: as stated by

—used to indicate the author of an opinion with which the majority of judges concur

Last Updated: 22 Apr 2024 - Updated example sentences

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per

preposition

adverb

abbreviation

prefix

Synonyms

Examples of per in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near per

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

Legal Definition