stationery

noun

sta·​tio·​nery ˈstā-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce stationery (audio)
1
: materials (such as paper, pens, and ink) for writing or typing
2
: letter paper usually accompanied with matching envelopes

Did you know?

stationary or stationery?

The Internet is awash with mnemonics (“something (such as a word, a sentence, or a song) that helps people remember something“) designed to assist those who have trouble distinguishing between two similar words. A fair share of these turn out to be for the words stationery and stationary. The most commonly suggested method is to remember that you buy papER at a stationERy store. If this trick does not work for you, then perhaps it will help to remember that a stationery store is one that is run by a stationer. This word was originally applied to a bookseller, but by the middle of the 17th century it began to be used for a person who sells papers, pens, and office goods.

Examples of stationery in a Sentence

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.
Yvan, who has recently landed in the stationery business, arrives onstage while delivering a bravura monologue about wedding-invitation drama, by far the funniest moment in this production. Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025 The Knot predicts the vendor categories most likely to benefit are jewelers, photographers, videographers, florists, beauty, attire, stationery, entertainment and decor. Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2025 Stock up on their gummies and stationery featuring Genki, the running-boy mascot. Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025 Trump said there would be new stationery, too. Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stationery

Word History

Etymology

stationer

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stationery was in 1727

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stationery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stationery. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

stationery

noun
sta·​tio·​nery ˈstā-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce stationery (audio)
1
: materials (as paper, pens, and ink) for writing or typing
2
: letter paper usually accompanied with matching envelopes

More from Merriam-Webster on stationery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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