Illustration of papyrus
- papyrus 1
papyrus
noun
pa·py·rus
pə-ˈpī-rəs 
plural papyri
pə-ˈpī-(ˌ)rē
-rī
or papyruses
1
: a tall perennial sedge (Cyperus papyrus) of the Nile valley
2
: the pith of the papyrus plant especially when made into strips and pressed into a material to write on
3
a
: a writing on papyrus
b
: a written scroll made of papyrus
He discovered a papyrus in the ruins.
Examples of papyrus in a Sentence
an ancient text written on papyrus
He discovered a papyrus in the ruins.
Recent Examples on the Web
Some of the earliest writings — including those inscribed on papyrus in Egypt and later in ancient Greece and Rome — contain recipes for making medicines.
—
Ari Daniel, NPR, 19 Feb. 2026
Three and a half centuries after Ashurbanipal, the Great Library of Alexandria faced the challenge of organizing papyrus scrolls running in the hundreds of thousands.
—Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
Many ingredients are grown at the organic farm behind the hotel, which also hosts donkeys, ostriches, and the ateliers of craftspeople making pottery and papyrus paper.
—Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2026
Vetiver, musk, and papyrus yield a curious aroma that captivates strangers, so much so that a few have even stopped me to inquire about it.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for papyrus
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.
Ari Daniel, NPR, 19 Feb. 2026
Three and a half centuries after Ashurbanipal, the Great Library of Alexandria faced the challenge of organizing papyrus scrolls running in the hundreds of thousands.
—Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
Many ingredients are grown at the organic farm behind the hotel, which also hosts donkeys, ostriches, and the ateliers of craftspeople making pottery and papyrus paper.
—Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2026
Vetiver, musk, and papyrus yield a curious aroma that captivates strangers, so much so that a few have even stopped me to inquire about it.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for papyrus
Cite this Entry
“Papyrus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papyrus. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
papyrus
noun
pa·py·rus
pə-ˈpī-rəs
plural papyri
-ˈpī(ə)r-ē
-ˌī
also papyruses
1
: a tall sedge of the Nile valley
2
: the soft central part of papyrus stems especially when made into strips and pressed into a writing material
3
: a writing on or written scroll of papyrus
Etymology
Middle English papyrus "papyrus," from Latin papyrus "papyrus, paper," from Greek papyros "papyrus" — related to paper
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
