letter

1 of 3

noun (1)

let·​ter ˈle-tər How to pronounce letter (audio)
1
: a symbol usually written or printed representing a speech sound and constituting a unit of an alphabet
2
a
: a direct or personal written or printed message addressed to a person or organization
b
: a written communication containing a grant
usually used in plural
3
letters plural in form but singular or plural in construction
b
4
: the strict or outward sense or significance
the letter of the law
5
a
: a single piece of type
b
: a style of type
6
: the initial of a school awarded to a student for achievement usually in athletics

letter

2 of 3

verb

lettered; lettering; letters

transitive verb

1
: to set down in letters : print
2
: to mark with letters

intransitive verb

: to win an athletic letter
letterer noun

letter

3 of 3

noun (2)

let·​ter ˈle-tər How to pronounce letter (audio)
: one that rents or leases

Examples of letter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
However, a letter that city officials sent the investors Feb. 6 showed the two sides far apart, with Reven seeking to shift too many liabilities to the city. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024 There is yet another delay for prospective and current college students awaiting financial aid award letters. Sequoia Carrillo, NPR, 24 Mar. 2024 The first, filed a month after Mr. Marcus’s 2004 letter, was by the Zionist Organization of America against the University of California, Irvine. Vimal Patel, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024 The Arizona Department of Water Resources declined comment on the tribes' letter. The Arizona Republic, 24 Mar. 2024 Green also said Republicans were circulating a letter of support for IVF. Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 23 Mar. 2024 The groups that penned the letter include the Hispanic empowerment nonprofit El Centro and the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity, a social justice organization. Luke Nozicka, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 The letters were first reported by the Wall Street Journal earlier this month. Sara Smart, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024 Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com. Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
Scott lettered from 2012 to 2014 and qualified for the NCAA championships in 2014; Seth lettered from 2015 to 17. Journal Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2024 His father, Ralph, wrestled for UW, lettered from 1985 to 1987 and qualified for the NCAA championships twice. Journal Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2024 Besides football, Floyd lettered in basketball and track and field in high school. Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2024 Gilbert returned to Bakersfield College, then transferred to SJSU where lettered for football for two years and was named team captain his senior year. Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2024 Viral post leads to letter Florida education officials zeroed in on the issue of permission slips after Walter’s post on X garnered about 13 million views, 16,000 likes and nearly 4,000 reposts — and sparked ire among state officials. Jimena Tavel, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2024 Ewers was introduced by fellow Southlake resident County Judge Tim O’Hare, who lettered for the Longhorns in 1989. Noah Alcala Bach, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2024 The sign is approximately 10 inches wide by 15 inches tall, and has lettering approximately one inch tall. Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2024 At Food Spot, they’re displayed in that style, but with the description lettered above in white, on a blue background. Lucas Kwan Peterson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'letter.' 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 (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French lettre, from Latin littera letter of the alphabet, litterae, plural, epistle, literature

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1504, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1552, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of letter was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near letter

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

letter

1 of 2 noun
let·​ter ˈlet-ər How to pronounce letter (audio)
1
: one of the marks that are symbols for speech sounds in writing or print and that make up the alphabet
2
: a written or printed communication
3
4
: the strict or outward meaning
the letter of the law
5
: the initial of a school awarded to a student especially for athletic achievement

letter

2 of 2 verb
: to mark with letters
letterer noun

Legal Definition

letter

noun
let·​ter
1
: a direct written statement addressed to an individual or organization
broadly : an official communication see also counterletter
Crummey letter \ ˈkrə-​mē \
: a letter from the trustee of a Crummey trust notifying the beneficiary of his or her right to withdraw funds for a given time
determination letter
: a letter from an administrative agency (as the Internal Revenue Service) usually in response to a request in which a determination, decision, or ruling is made
information letter
: a letter from an administrative agency usually in response to a request that provides information and especially that simply calls attention to an interpretation or principle of law
letter of intent
: a letter in which the intention to enter into a formal agreement (as a contract) or to take some specified action is stated
letter rogatory \ -​ˈrō-​gə-​ˌtȯr-​ē \ probably partial translation of Medieval Latin littera rogatoria letter of request
: a formal written request by a court to a court in a foreign jurisdiction to summon and examine a witness in accordance with that jurisdiction's procedures (as oral interrogatories) usually used in pl.
90-day letter
: a letter from the Internal Revenue Service notifying a taxpayer of a determination of a deficiency

Note: A taxpayer has 90 days from the date of the mailing of the 90-day letter to petition for a redetermination of the deficiency in the U.S. Tax Court.

no-action letter
: a letter from an attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission recommending that the Commission take no prosecutorial action with regard to a suspected and investigated violation of SEC rules or regulations
opinion letter
: a letter in which an opinion (as of a court or attorney) is given
ruling letter
: determination letter in this entry
30-day letter
: a letter from the Internal Revenue Service to a taxpayer who has been audited and disputes the auditor's determination that sets out the taxpayer's right to appeal

Note: A taxpayer has 30 days from the time of the mailing of the 30-day letter to respond.

2
: a written communication usually from a court containing a grant (as of a right) or an appointment
usually used in pl.
letter of attorney
letter of marque \ -​ˈmärk \ Anglo-French mark, marque right of retaliation, from Middle French marque, from Old Provençal marca, from marcar to mark, seize as pledge
: a letter from a government formerly used to grant a private person the power to seize the subjects of a foreign state
specifically : authority granted to a private person to fit out an armed ship to plunder the enemy
usually used in pl.
often used in the phrase letters of marque and reprisal
the Congress shall have power…to declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water U.S. Constitution art. I
letters of administration
: a letter from a probate court that appoints the addressee administrator of an estate
letters patent
: a letter (as from a government) that grants a designated person a right (as to property) and that is in a form open for public inspection : patent
letters testamentary
: a letter from a probate court that appoints or confirms the executor of an estate
3

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