punch line

See synonyms for punch line on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the climactic phrase or sentence in a joke, speech, advertisement, or humorous story that produces the desired effect.

Origin of punch line

1
An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Words Nearby punch line

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use punch line in a sentence

  • Reelecting Gray knowing he could be indicted would once again make the District a punch line for the late-night talk shows.

  • Phil said, "Because people are—" And then he caught himself and waved his hand and muttered, "I forgot the punch line."

    The First One | Herbert D. Kastle
  • He began to hold back slyly, like a comedian building up the tension before a punch-line.

    The Fourth R | George Oliver Smith

British Dictionary definitions for punch line

punch line

noun
  1. the culminating part of a joke, funny story, etc, that gives it its humorous or dramatic point

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012