punctuation mark

American  

noun

1. any of a group of conventional marks or characters used in punctuation, as the period, comma, semicolon, question mark, or dash.

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punctuation mark British  

noun

1. any of the signs used in punctuation, such as a comma or question mark

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Etymology

Origin of punctuation mark

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

The review refers to the "so-called 'rules-based international order'", putting the latter phrase in inverted commas: a kind of delegitimisation by punctuation mark.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026

He does put some value in the occasional rogue punctuation mark.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

Because more than any other punctuation mark, the em dash is deeply human.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

How very dare you! — have in turn blazed across social media spaces populated by the kind of folks who will tell you, unprompted, that they have a favorite punctuation mark and what it is.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2025

The writing was hurried and cramped, the margins overflowing with questions and hastily jotted notes, but she could have recited every phrase and placed every punctuation mark with her eyes closed.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee