part of speech

noun phrase

: a traditional class of words (such as adjectives, adverbs, nouns, and verbs) distinguished according to the kind of idea denoted and the function performed in a sentence

Examples of part of speech in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Spellers can ask what part of speech the word is, and about its definition, alternate pronunciations, and language of origin. Melissa Mohr, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 2023 But in Great Andamanese such descriptions take an extreme form, with morphemes, or meaningful sound segments, that designate different zones of the body getting attached to nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs—indeed, to every part of speech—to make diverse meanings. Anvita Abbi, Scientific American, 16 May 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1517, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of part of speech was in 1517

Dictionary Entries Near part of speech

Cite this Entry

“Part of speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/part%20of%20speech. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

part of speech

: a class of words (as adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, interjections, nouns, prepositions, pronouns, or verbs) identified according to the kinds of ideas they express and the way they work in a sentence

More from Merriam-Webster on part of speech

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