hyphen Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a punctuation mark (-) used between parts of a compound word or between the syllables of a word when the word is divided at the end of a line of text
    dash.
  2. verb divide or connect with a hyphen
    hyphenate.
    • hyphenate these words and names

WordNet

Hy"phen noun
Etymology
L., fr. Gr. , fr. under one, into one, together, fr. under + , neut. of one. See Hypo-.
Definitions
  1. (Print.) A mark or short dash, thus [-], placed at the end of a line which terminates with a syllable of a word, the remainder of which is carried to the next line; or between the parts of many a compound word; as in fine-leaved, clear-headed. It is also sometimes used to separate the syllables of words.
Hy"phen transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Hyphened ; present participle & verbal noun Hyphening
Definitions
  1. To connect with, or separate by, a hyphen, as two words or the parts of a word.

Webster 1913