paper trail

noun

: documents (such as financial records) from which a person's actions may be traced or opinions learned

Examples of paper trail in a Sentence

They covered up the fraud and were careful not to leave a paper trail.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Behind the swing of their big hips lay paper trails of obeisance. Danielle Parker, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Fortunately for businesses, a paper trail for AI use and governance does exist. Jeppe Rindom, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Instead, others will be making their own paper trails. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 18 June 2026 Collecting detailed records, such as ER visits, scans, prescriptions, and therapy notes, can create the proper paper trail. Miami Herald, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for paper trail

Word History

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paper trail was in 1935

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paper trail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paper%20trail. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

paper trail

noun
: documents (as financial records or published materials) from which a person's actions may be traced or opinions learned
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