nor

1 of 4

conjunction (1)

nər,
ˈnȯr How to pronounce nor (audio)
 Southern also  ˈnär
1
used as a function word to introduce the second or last member or the second and each following member of a series of items each of which is negated
neither here nor there
not done by you nor me nor anyone
2
used as a function word to introduce and negate a following clause or phrase
3
chiefly British : neither
Is it neither nor or neither or?: Usage Guide

Although use with or is neither archaic nor wrong, neither is usually followed by nor. A few commentators think that neither must be limited in reference to two, but reference to more than two has been quite common for several hundred years.

rigid enforcement of antique decorum will help neither language, literature, nor literati James Sledd

nor

2 of 4

conjunction (2)

dialect
: than

nor-

3 of 4

combining form

: homologue containing one less methyl group
norepinephrine

NOR

4 of 4

noun

: a computer logic (see logic sense 1d) circuit that produces an output that is the inverse (see inverse entry 2 sense 3) of that of an OR circuit

Examples of nor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
By adding filters or other optical components, the researchers created the remaining other kinds of logic gates, such as AND, OR, NOR, XOR, and NAND. IEEE Spectrum, 24 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Conjunction (1)

Middle English, contraction of nother neither, nor, from nother, pronoun & adjective, neither — more at neither

Conjunction (2)

Middle English, perhaps from nor entry 1

Combining form

normal

Noun

not OR

First Known Use

Conjunction (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Conjunction (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nor was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near nor

Cite this Entry

“Nor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nor. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nor

conjunction
nər,
(ˈ)nȯ(ə)r
: and not
not for you nor for me
used especially between two words or phrases preceded by neither
neither here nor there

More from Merriam-Webster on nor

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!