punch line

American  

noun

• punch lines
  plural

1. the climactic phrase or sentence in a joke, speech, advertisement, or humorous story that produces the desired effect.

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punch line British  

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• punch lines
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of punch line

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

punch line

But it has already become a punch line that could resurface if he runs for president.

From Slate ● Sep. 9, 2026

When I finished my studies, the mere existence of the discipline at a major American university was a punch line for everyone I knew.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

She comes up with a superior punch line, one worth delivering to an audience.

From Salon ● May 29, 2026

The studio was also the punch line when the host was praising the success of “Sinners.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 11, 2026

Within minutes, she’d blabbed to everyone, making it sound like a big joke—with Jess and the twins as the punch line.

From "I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980" by Lauren Tarshis

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