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Definition of ampersand

ampersand

/ˈæm.pɚ.sænd/
am · per · sand
Plural:ampersands
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ampersand Lexical Profile

ampersand Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The typographic character or logogram '&', representing the conjunction 'and'.

Example

"Many law firms and publishing houses use an ampersand between the partners' surnames in their official logos."

• Nearby Words

amp
amped
ampere
ampersand
amphetamine
amphibian
amphibious

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 18th century as a slurred contraction of the phrase 'and per se and' (meaning 'and by itself, and'), which British schoolchildren recited at the end of the alphabet when '&' was taught as the 27th character. The symbol itself originated in the 1st century AD as a Roman cursive ligature combining the letters 'e' and 't' of the Latin word 'et' (meaning 'and').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ampersand. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ampersand
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