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

Per the IOM white paper, about 100,000 people a year die because of medical mistakes.

From The Daily Beast

In late 2009 Borkholder wrote a white paper proposal to DARPA that pitched a disposable blast gauge using a tiny pressure sensor.

From The Daily Beast

The current white paper also suggests a reduction in rapid deployment forces from 30,000 to between 15,000 and 20,000.

From The Daily Beast

Another possibility was releasing a white paper to the public.

From The Daily Beast

Nor, given the premises of the white paper, is it obvious why capture would even have to be attempted.

From The Daily Beast

A proclamation was issued by government to establish a manufactory for white paper in England.

From Project Gutenberg

Next she came upon two packets sealed up in white paper, with Val's own seal.

From Project Gutenberg

A board was fastened to the top of the pole, and there was a square, white paper tacked to the board.

From Project Gutenberg

This line style, whose world is not the wall or the canvas, but white paper, can do with a proportionately meagre study of nature.

From Project Gutenberg

Bill smeared some ink on a blotter and took up a bit of white paper.

From Project Gutenberg