pamphlet

American  

[pam-flit] / ˈpæm flɪt /

noun

• pamphlets
  plural

1. a complete publication of generally less than 80 pages stitched or stapled together and usually having a paper cover.

2. a short treatise or essay, generally a controversial tract, on some subject of contemporary interest.

   a political pamphlet.

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pamphlet British  

/ ˈpæmflɪt /

noun

1. a brief publication generally having a paper cover; booklet

2. a brief treatise, often on a subject of current interest, published in pamphlet form

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pamphletary
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• pamphlets
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pamphlet

1375–1425; late Middle English pamflet < Anglo-Latin panfletus, pamfletus, syncopated variant of Pamphiletus, diminutive of Medieval Latin Pamphilus, title of a 12th-century Latin comedy. See -et

Explanation

A pamphlet is a little booklet with a soft (usually paper) cover that briefly addresses a particular subject of interest. The word pamphlet comes from Pamphilet, from a Latin love poem that was popular in the 12th century. “Pamphilus,” the original Latin title, means “loved by all.” When the printing press came along in the 15th century, pamphlets became a good way to publicize your ideas — they were relatively cheap and you could print lots of them. They’re still used in political campaigns, and sometimes armies distribute pamphlets when they’re trying to communicate with people across a wide area.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pamphlet pamphlets

A pamphlet from the Central District of California that touted “front-page Federal cases” hung in the window of a court reporting classroom, where students practiced typing 200 words per minute.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026

This English philosopher, a former resident of the town, is seen by scholars as one of the US Founding Fathers on account of a pamphlet he penned in 1776 that argued for the cause.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

Here is more information from the Social Security Administration’s pamphlet on receiving benefits while outside of the U.S.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 7, 2026

A pamphlet instructed audiences on “How to Enjoy James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses.’”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026

He retrieved a flashlight and a pamphlet and pointed to a picture on the back.

From "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech

Even more absurd is that it’s not because of the paper magazines, books or pamphlets that you have in your house.

From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026

Defoe could shape opinion within it, publishing essays and pamphlets as well as reporting secretly to London.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 18, 2026

"These communities have been receiving these pamphlets, soliciting them to join the extremist views and preaching by these militants," Isa Sanusi, head of Amnesty International in Nigeria, told the BBC's Newsday programme.

From BBC ● Feb. 6, 2026

I kept seeing their pamphlets in doctors offices and rehab centers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2025

Other than that, he handed out cancer pamphlets and minded his own business.

From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds

Related Words

• brochure
• bulletin
• flyer
• folder
• handout
• leaflet
• tract