paragraph
UK: ˈpærəɡrɑːf | US: ˈpærəɡræf
n. a distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme and indicated by a new line, indentation, or numbering.
n. a mark (¶) used to indicate a new paragraph or as a reference mark.
The word "paragraph" originates from Greek paragraphos, combining para- ("beside") and graphein ("to write"). Originally, it referred to a short stroke or mark (paragraphos) written beside a line of text to indicate a break or change in thought. Over time, the term evolved to denote the textual unit itself rather than just the marking symbol. This reflects the logical progression from visual notation to conceptual segmentation in writing.
Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea.
The editor added a paragraph symbol (¶) to mark the new section.
She wrote a lengthy paragraph explaining her argument.
The teacher asked us to indent the first line of every paragraph.
The legal document contained a confusing paragraph that needed clarification.