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
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 Fox News Digital’s Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Reuters contributed to this report. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2024 Four-decade battle exposed bitter divisions Journal Sentinel reporter Alex Groth contributed to this report. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2024 Miami Herald reporter Jacqueline Charles contributed to this report. Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 The actor, 84, shared a statement exclusively to PEOPLE over reported new claims of neglect made by his daughter John Amos is denying reports of new allegations of neglect made by his daughter regarding his care. Jeremy Helligar, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 McDougal has past convictions for enticement of a child, FOX 26, KHOU 11 and Click 2 Houston report, citing court records. Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024 Times staff writer Doug Smith contributed to this report. Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024 This report is from WLRN News, a Miami Herald partner. Daniel Rivero, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2024
Verb
However, it was reported that seven students were evaluated for discomfort, but did not require medical care. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Quan also had at least 11 foreign bank accounts and did not report their existence or the interest earned to his tax return preparer. Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Deadline was first to report news of the casting talks. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024 Family members called 911 to report a Davis County teen missing in the afternoon on Sunday, March 3, the Davis County Sheriff’s Office said in a March 4 news release. Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2024 As Mamas Uncut also reported, King Charles is also expected to receive medical attention for an enlarged prostate. Sara Vallone, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2024 The investigation into Peck began after the child’s family reported that the dialogue coach had molested the minor over a six-month period. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2024 Therefore, the correct conclusion is that the top 1% of taxpayers earned 46% of the taxable income reported. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024 Two tech CEOs scrambling to produce more of the sophisticated chips needed for artificial intelligence met for a brainstorming session Wednesday while the booming market’s early leader reported another quarter of eye-popping growth. Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 22 Feb. 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 19 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

More from Merriam-Webster on report

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!