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

No pamphlet did more to convince Americans to declare their separation from Britain, but it seems to have left Willing cold.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 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

It would never be mistaken for a dry lecture or a didactic pamphlet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2026

I pause, clutching both the pamphlet and the gravity of the situation.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Soon enough, Indigenous figures were appearing on Colonial American guns, pamphlets, and ships.

From Slate ● Jul. 3, 2026

Family vloggers have more reach on TikTok and Instagram than missionaries will ever get knocking on doors or handing out pamphlets on street corners.

From Salon ● May 10, 2026

“I’ve seen many pamphlets from the NGOs, ‘here’s how you escape ICE,’” Homan told CNN last year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 22, 2026

On 8 October, a search of his house was carried out, where magazines and pamphlets suggesting an interest in animal rights were found.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2025

The poor chap peddled it around Europe, passing out pamphlets at conventions.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

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