emphasis

noun

em·​pha·​sis ˈem(p)-fə-səs How to pronounce emphasis (audio)
plural emphases ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsēz How to pronounce emphasis (audio)
1
a
: force or intensity of expression that gives impressiveness or importance to something
b
: a particular prominence given in reading or speaking to one or more words or syllables
2
: special consideration of or stress or insistence on something

Examples of emphasis in a Sentence

Our candidate's plan has a different emphasis. a prep school with a long-established emphasis on sports
Recent Examples on the Web Plenty of Americans are also skeptical of the classical-education movement’s narrow emphasis on the West. Emma Green, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Just like officials every season have points of emphasis in their rules, the CIF needs to have a point of emphasis when schools receive multiple transfers. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 In 2024, the emphasis will again be on regaining momentum, with organizer the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) expecting some 750 exhibitors from more than 25 countries, up about 7 percent from last year — but still down from the 888 exhibitors from 35 territories that attended in 2019. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024 Its mission remains the same, to provide an Indigenous American education with a special emphasis on teaching Indigenous history, culture, language and practices. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 Pulling from quantitative and qualitative analysis, the team could tailor an old-fashioned love story for modern expectations – finding narrative and thematic points of emphasis designed to resonate. Ben Croll, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 That emphasis on honoring history extends to Le Suprême, the first restaurant to reach completion at the Book Tower. Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 But for younger workers in particular, an emphasis on flexibility (meaning flexible hours and work location) is quickly becoming a non-negotiable. Jane Thier, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2024 But critics say an emphasis on profits changed that This settlement is just the latest blow to Boeing’s once-stellar reputation. Chris Isidore, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024

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

borrowed from Latin, "use of language to imply more than is actually said, implication" (Late Latin also "appearance," Medieval Latin "prominence of expression, stress"), borrowed from Greek émphasis "appearance in a smooth surface, reflection, outward appearance, setting forth, exposition, significance, force of expression," from empha-, stem in noun derivation of emphaínein "to exhibit, display, indicate," emphaínesthai "to be reflected, become visible" (from em- en- entry 2 + phaínein "to bring to light, cause to appear," and phaínesthai "to become visible, appear") + -sis -sis — more at fantasy entry 1, phase entry 1

Note: Greek pha- can be a stem in nominal derivation of both phaínein and the verb phēmí, phánai "to speak, say," so that prefixed words formed with it may have senses relating to both appearance and to speech or language, as is the case with émphasis. For the underlying relation between the two verbs see the note at ban entry 1.

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of emphasis was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near emphasis

Cite this Entry

“Emphasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emphasis. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

emphasis

noun
em·​pha·​sis ˈem(p)-fə-səs How to pronounce emphasis (audio)
plural emphases -fə-ˌsēz How to pronounce emphasis (audio)
1
a
: forcefulness of expression
spoke with emphasis
b
: the act or fact of giving stress to a word or syllable when speaking
2
: special attention or importance given to something
put great emphasis on cleanliness

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