white paper

[hwahyt pey-per, wahyt, hwahyt-pey-per, wahyt]

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.

white paper

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of white paper¹

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

It’s served on the same floppy white paper plate.

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In May, the government's immigration white paper promised legislation to "clarify" how the right to a family life in European human rights law should apply to immigration cases.

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She said she was "determined to deliver change" and that the DfE's white paper, would "soon set out how we plan to improve access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds".

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Any fee increases in England would be announced by the Department for Education, which is due to publish its higher education white paper this autumn.

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The government previously said it inherited a system "left on its knees" and is due to set out its plans for reform in a white paper in October.

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