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
reported; reporting; reports
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
Synonyms
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
John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2024
What will the next consumer price index report say about inflation?
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
The report got an unfriendly reception from Johnson, who refused to accept a copy or publicly thank the commissioners.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
The weekly report is also available online as a PDF.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
That population boom is supporting thousands more jobs that otherwise would not be sustainable, according to a recent Brookings Institution report.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Once again, attention has turned to talks in Cairo amid reports that an agreement may be within reach.
—Claire Parker, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Jennifer Crumbley also took the stand in her own defense, and was grilled by prosecutors over her extramarital affairs and relationship with her son.
ABC News' Whitney Lloyd contributed to this report.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2024
And yet, over the next decade, net migration is set to increase U.S. gross domestic product by roughly $7 trillion and increase revenues by $1 trillion, according to a recent report from the Congressional Budget Office.
—Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
Joby Warrick, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
The Indy Zoo is encouraging people to report any animal observations people may have made.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Any abuse will not be tolerated and will be reported.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
But renters face a slightly rosier outlook now in the Grand Canyon State, where CNBC reports that rents in many metro regions have gone down.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
The team found that men who reported high alcohol intake were 22% more likely to develop heart disease compared with men whose intake was moderate.
—Lauryn Higgins, Health, 10 Apr. 2024
Weisselberg had already served five months for tax fraud, for not reporting $1.7 million in benefits and falsifying business records at the Trump Organization.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
And even in the U.S. where quit rates have recently fallen, certain industries like personal care services continue to report higher-than-average resignation rates.
—Miglė Petrauskaitė, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
The New York Times was first to report the whistleblower complaint.
—Gregory Wallace, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
Noun
In the twelve months before the report was issued, hourly wages rose by 4.1 per cent–—the lowest figure since June, 2021, and another indication that inflation is contained.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2024
What will the next consumer price index report say about inflation?
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
The report got an unfriendly reception from Johnson, who refused to accept a copy or publicly thank the commissioners.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
The weekly report is also available online as a PDF.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
That population boom is supporting thousands more jobs that otherwise would not be sustainable, according to a recent Brookings Institution report.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Once again, attention has turned to talks in Cairo amid reports that an agreement may be within reach.
—Claire Parker, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Jennifer Crumbley also took the stand in her own defense, and was grilled by prosecutors over her extramarital affairs and relationship with her son.
ABC News' Whitney Lloyd contributed to this report.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2024
And yet, over the next decade, net migration is set to increase U.S. gross domestic product by roughly $7 trillion and increase revenues by $1 trillion, according to a recent report from the Congressional Budget Office.
—Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
Verb
Fordow’s most refined product today has a U-235 purity of 60 percent, IAEA reports show.
—Joby Warrick, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
The Indy Zoo is encouraging people to report any animal observations people may have made.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Any abuse will not be tolerated and will be reported.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
But renters face a slightly rosier outlook now in the Grand Canyon State, where CNBC reports that rents in many metro regions have gone down.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
The team found that men who reported high alcohol intake were 22% more likely to develop heart disease compared with men whose intake was moderate.
—Lauryn Higgins, Health, 10 Apr. 2024
Weisselberg had already served five months for tax fraud, for not reporting $1.7 million in benefits and falsifying business records at the Trump Organization.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
And even in the U.S. where quit rates have recently fallen, certain industries like personal care services continue to report higher-than-average resignation rates.
—Miglė Petrauskaitė, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
The New York Times was first to report the whistleblower complaint.
—Gregory Wallace, CNN, 10 Apr. 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
Phrases Containing report
Articles Related to report
Dictionary Entries Near report
Cite this Entry
“Report.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/report. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
report
1 of 2 noun
re·port
ri-ˈpō(ə)rt 
-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 verb1
: 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 verb1
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
1
: to present oneself
reported for jury duty
2
: to make, issue, submit, or present a report
the committee will report this afternoon
More from Merriam-Webster on report
Nglish: Translation of report for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of report for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share