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

Etymology

Origin of punch line

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

punch line

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

From Salon ● May 29, 2026

Her response to questions about the DOJ’s failure to prosecute Epstein’s accomplices with the statement “the Dow is over $50,000 right now” became an immediate punch line.

From Slate ● Apr. 2, 2026

Chinese culture may be of genuine interest to many users, but online, it’s destined to become an exotic punch line.

From Slate ● Mar. 13, 2026

The team that spent its first four decades of existence as a punch line and a purgatory has now had 14 consecutive winning seasons with a succession of basketball greats wearing its uniform.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2026

She waited for the punch line, her shoes growing soggy.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen