white paper

American  

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

noun

• white papers
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• white papers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of white paper

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

white paper

“I don’t have to look at a white paper on affordability. I know people are struggling and that this economy is hurting people,” Berg told The 19th.

From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2026

With your back to the Sun, you can project the eclipse as it happens on to another piece of white paper or card.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

Japan decided in April to lift its self-imposed ban on weapons exports, but the white paper highlighted problems in the country's production base that could jeopardise procurement and innovation.

From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026

Schmidt and five other researchers wrote in a white paper that the new low underscores the urgency of using less water.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 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