paperwork
noun
pa·per·work
ˈpā-pər-ˌwərk 
: routine clerical or recordkeeping work often incidental to a more important task
Examples of paperwork in a Sentence
She failed to file the paperwork on time.
The lawyer had us fill in the paperwork for the mortgage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Officials bemoaned overlapping rules, slow approvals and rigid policies that have complicated rebuilding efforts while burying survivors in paperwork.
—
Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Ten years ago, entrepreneurs were essentially required to hire expensive service providers to navigate the complex paperwork of incorporation, building a storefront, and taking payments.
—William Jones, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
The California Department of Social Services has filed paperwork to revoke the operating license for an Elk Grove nursing home in response to the 2024 extreme heat death of a resident with dementia, according to state records.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Duncan’s gains Democratic candidate for governor Geoff Duncan speaks to reporters after filing paperwork to run for election on March 3, 2026.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paperwork
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Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Ten years ago, entrepreneurs were essentially required to hire expensive service providers to navigate the complex paperwork of incorporation, building a storefront, and taking payments.
—William Jones, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
The California Department of Social Services has filed paperwork to revoke the operating license for an Elk Grove nursing home in response to the 2024 extreme heat death of a resident with dementia, according to state records.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Duncan’s gains Democratic candidate for governor Geoff Duncan speaks to reporters after filing paperwork to run for election on March 3, 2026.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paperwork
Cite this Entry
“Paperwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paperwork. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paperwork
noun
pa·per·work
-ˌwərk
: routine office or record-keeping work
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