I. ˌpəŋ(k)chəˈwāshən, -(k)sh- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin punctuation-, punctuatio, from punctuatus (past participle of punctuare to point) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at punctuate
1. : the act or an instance of punctuating : the character of being punctuated
the punctuation of the infinite stretch of time by periodic world conflagration — Catherine Rau
the emotional impact of explosions used as a punctuation — Modern Music
the occasional punctuation of a siren call, as either a squad car or an ambulance dashes through — Burns Mantle
2. : the act, practice, or system of inserting various standardized marks or signs in written or printed matter in order to clarify the meaning and separate structural units : the division of written or printed matter (as into sentences or clauses) by means of punctuation marks
3. : a system of vowel points and accents used in writing Hebrew and other Semitic languages
II. noun
: something that contrasts or accentuates
lights that add punctuation to the room