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The original meaning of punctual described a puncture made by a surgeon. The word has meant lots of other things through the centuries, usually involving being precise about small points. And today punctuality is all about time; a punctual train or a punctual payment or a punctual person shows up "on the dot".
Examples of punctual in a Sentence
the punctual delivery of the daily mail
Recent Examples on the Web
Follow the perpetually punctual writer of this newsletter on X and/or Threads @jimreineking 🧵.
—
Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2024
On the other hand, Avianca, the flag carrier for Colombia and the most punctual airline of 2023, dropped to seventh place.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 14 Jan. 2025
The second Friday in January has become known as Quitter’s Day because that’s when most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions, when the will power to eat better, be punctual or exercise more begins to wear off.
—Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Trams and trains were extremely punctual, as were people.
—Adam H. Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for punctual 
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Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2024
On the other hand, Avianca, the flag carrier for Colombia and the most punctual airline of 2023, dropped to seventh place.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 14 Jan. 2025
The second Friday in January has become known as Quitter’s Day because that’s when most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions, when the will power to eat better, be punctual or exercise more begins to wear off.
—Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Trams and trains were extremely punctual, as were people.
—Adam H. Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for punctual
Dictionary Entries Near punctual
Cite this Entry
“Punctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctual. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
punctual
adjective
punc·tu·al
ˈpəŋ(k)-chə(-wə)l 
: acting or usually acting at an appointed time or at a regularly scheduled time
the trains were punctual
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