white paper

American  

[hwahyt pey-per, wahyt, hwahyt-pey-per, wahyt] / ˈʰwaɪt ˈpeɪ pər, ˈwaɪt, ˈʰwaɪtˌpeɪ pər, ˈwaɪt /

noun

1. paper bleached white.

2. an official governmental report.

3. an authoritative report issued by any organization.

   The TV network presented its white paper on news coverage of major crimes.

4. an official British government publication on a specific subject prepared by a committee and presented to the House of Commons, usually reporting results of a recent investigation or summarizing policy.

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white paper British  

noun

1. (often capitals) an official government report in any of a number of countries, including Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, which sets out the government's policy on a matter that is or will come before Parliament

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Etymology

Origin of white paper

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

A white paper bag, Speedee the chef and a bedazzling roadside memory.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Trump’s plan includes elements of a white paper written in 2021 by Ghilarducci and Kevin Hassett, who is now director of the National Economic Council.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

The Hassett-Ghilarducci white paper also calls for the accounts to be portable.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

The government is due to publish its proposals for schools in a white paper on Monday, and Milburn says it needs to make sure the curriculum is aligned with what employers need.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

It was a package, about the size of a deck of cards, wrapped in white paper and tied with green ribbon.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger