report

1 of 2

noun

re·​port ri-ˈpȯrt How to pronounce report (audio)
1
a
: common talk or an account spread by common talk : rumor
b
: quality of reputation
a witness of good report
2
a
: a usually detailed account or statement
a news report
b
: an account or statement of a judicial opinion or decision
c
: a usually formal record of the proceedings of a meeting or session
3
: an explosive noise

report

2 of 2

verb

reported; reporting; reports

transitive verb

1
a
: to give an account of : relate
b
: to describe as being in a specified state
reported him much improved
2
a
: to serve as carrier of (a message)
b
: to relate the words or sense of (something said)
c
: to make a written record or summary of
d(1)
: to watch for and write about the newsworthy aspects or developments of : cover
(2)
: to prepare or present an account of for broadcast
3
a(1)
: to give a formal or official account or statement of
the treasurer reported a balance of ten dollars
(2)
: to return or present (a matter referred for consideration) with conclusions or recommendations
b
: to announce or relate as the result of investigation
reported no sign of disease
c
: to announce the presence, arrival, or sighting of
d
: to make known to the proper authorities
report a fire
e
: to make a charge of misconduct against

intransitive verb

1
a
: to give an account : tell
b
: to present oneself
reported to the front desk
c
: to account for oneself
reported sick on Friday
d
: to work as a subordinate
reports to the vice president
2
: to make, issue, or submit a report
3
: to act in the capacity of a reporter
Phrases
on report
: subject to disciplinary action
was put on report for the violation

Examples of report in a Sentence

Noun a special report on health a report from our correspondent in China She wrote a report of the meeting. He gave a detailed report on the project. She filled out a police report at the scene of the accident. the government's report on crime in 2006 Unconfirmed reports state that over 100 people were hurt. Police have received reports of gang activity in the neighborhood. Verb The murder was reported in the national news. Several TV stations are reporting that the police are close to making an arrest. Their job is to report the news accurately and fairly. He was asked to report the details of the meeting. Tomorrow the committee will report its findings on air pollution. The doctor reported some improvement in her condition.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The report looks at the following factors that contribute to noisy cities: Population density, traffic density, public transportation, construction projects, and the number of flights per day, among other factors. The Courier-Journal, 16 Mar. 2024 The report laid out concerns and warning signs about Card, many of which have been previously reported, that accumulated in the months before his attack. Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 The new report was not the first to detail how the state was falling short of its climate goals. Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 By conservative estimates, another 1.7 million senior citizens will be in need of care in 10 years from now, according to the report. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024 The report also estimated that changes could lead to a 60% to 80% reduction in the number of real estate agents. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 16 Mar. 2024 The report offers a clearer view of the states and cities that surround the largest industrial discharges, the authors said. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2024 The officers saw a man lying under the seats of a subway car, not moving and surrounded by blood, the report said. Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 King City police responded to a residence in the 200 block of North 2nd Street after a report of shots fired, according to a department press release. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024
Verb
McAlpin’s White neighbor told him several Black men were staying at a White woman’s home and reported seeing suspicious behavior. Emma Tucker, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 And that may be low: TikTok made $16 billion in sales in the United States last year, the Financial Times reported — a revenue figure that could value the company at up to $150 billion. Eva Dou, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024 The Sunday Times also reports that Kate's potential return date may not be until April 17, coinciding with the end of her children's school break. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 17 Mar. 2024 The state's Republican governor recently signed IVF protections in response to that ruling, the Associated Press reported. The Enquirer, 17 Mar. 2024 In the wake of Free Press reports on the allegations, a GM spokesman confirmed in November that the automaker had taken action, removing those officers under investigation from the property and later deciding the officers who remain can no longer make arrests or carry handcuffs. Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2024 Sarah Mosqueda reports on the surprise reopening of beloved Café Tropical in Silver Lake. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 The Marion County Sheriff's Office in South Carolina reported on its Facebook page Saturday that Machado-Fore's body was found about 6:15 p.m. Friday outside of Lake View in Dillon County. CBS News, 16 Mar. 2024 That sergeant, as ABC News has reported, had a brief conversation with Card's brother, who assured him the family would work to remove Card's guns. Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'report.' 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

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from reporter to bring back, report, from Latin reportare, from re- + portare to carry — more at fare

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of report was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near report

Cite this Entry

“Report.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/report. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

report

1 of 2 noun
re·​port ri-ˈpō(ə)rt How to pronounce report (audio)
-ˈpȯ(ə)rt
1
a
: common talk : rumor
b
: reputation sense 1
people of evil report
2
: a usually detailed account or statement
a news report
wrote a report of the meeting
3
: an explosive noise
the report of a gun

report

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make a statement about or description of : relate
2
a
: to describe and discuss in a newspaper article or broadcast
report a baseball game
b
: to act as a reporter
report on the latest developments
3
a
: to return or present (a matter officially given over to a committee) with conclusions and suggestions
b
: to make known to the proper authorities
report a fire
c
: to make a charge of misconduct against
report a student for lateness
4
a
: to present oneself
report for duty
b
: to work as a subordinate
reports to the vice president

Legal Definition

report

1 of 2 noun
re·​port
: a usually detailed account or statement: as
a
: an account or statement of the facts of a case heard and of the decision and opinion of the court or of a quasi-judicial tribunal determining the case
b
: a written submission of a question of law (as by a lower court) to an appellate court for review before final decision is entered
c
: a usually formal and sometimes official statement giving the conclusions and recommendations of a person (as a master) or group (as a legislative committee) authorized or delegated to consider a matter or proposal
the committee made an unfavorable report on the bill
d
: a usually formal account of the results of an investigation given by a person or group delegated or authorized to make the investigation
e
: an analysis of operations and progress and a statement of future plans made at stated intervals by an administrator or executive or group of executives to those to whom such a report is owed
the board of directors issued its annual report to the stockholders

report

2 of 2 transitive verb
1
a
: to make a written record or summary of
report a case
b
: to make a shorthand record of
2
a
: to give a formal or official account or statement of
b
: to return or present (a matter officially referred for consideration) with conclusions or recommendations
specifically : report out
c
: to announce or relate as the result of a special search, examination, or investigation
d
: to make known to the proper authorities
reported the fire
e
: to make a charge of misconduct against
reported him for harassment

intransitive verb

1
: to present oneself
reported for jury duty
2
: to make, issue, submit, or present a report
the committee will report this afternoon

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