3
b
: to give expression to : communicate
a glance that said all that was necessary
: to express oneself : speak
1
: an expression of opinion
had my say
2
: a right or power to influence action or decision
especially
: the authority to make final decisions
3
archaic
: something that is said : statement
1
: about, approximately
the property is worth, say, four million dollars
2
: for example : as
if we compress any gas, say oxygen
Synonyms
Examples of say in a Sentence
Verb
“Is anybody there?” he said.
“Good morning,” said the woman behind the counter.
I said three words before he interrupted me again.
I just stopped by to say hello.
He left without saying goodbye.
I wanted to say thank you for all you've done for me.
She said something about going to the store after work.
He said something in French.
Anything you say to the police can be used as evidence against you.
Don't believe a word he says.
Noun
Everybody had a say at the meeting.
We won't make a decision until all members have had their say.
The judge will have the final say on the divorce settlement.
He had no say in the matter.
Adverb
a person consumes, say, 2000 calories a day
Recent Examples on the Web
Austin American-Statesman, 22 Dec. 2024
After the attack, the prison was placed on lockdown, meaning all those incarcerated in the facility were confined to their housing, as a precaution while an investigation is ongoing, Todd said.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024
Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 20 Dec. 2024
An August Gallup survey found that 46 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 to 29 say businesses should take a stand on social issues, compared to 32 percent of those aged 45 to 59.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for say 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Paul Smith said that between November 2023 and August 2024, the company has spent about $21 million on construction costs.
—Austin American-Statesman, 22 Dec. 2024
After the attack, the prison was placed on lockdown, meaning all those incarcerated in the facility were confined to their housing, as a precaution while an investigation is ongoing, Todd said.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024
Noun
Tribes now have more say in what happens to ancestral lands and other issues important to Native peoples.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 20 Dec. 2024
An August Gallup survey found that 46 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 to 29 say businesses should take a stand on social issues, compared to 32 percent of those aged 45 to 59.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for say
Dictionary Entries Near say
Cite this Entry
“Say.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/say. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
say
1 of 3 verb1
2
a
: utter entry 2 sense 2, pronounce
can't say more than three words without laughing
b
: recite sense 1, repeat
said my prayers
3
a
: indicate sense 2, show
the clock says five minutes after ten
b
: to give expression to : communicate
the look on his face said it all
4
: suppose sense 1, assume
let's say you're right
say
2 of 3 noun1
: an expression of opinion
had my say
2
: the power to decide or help decide
had no say in the plans
say
3 of 3 adverb1
: about as much or as many as
is worth, say, ten dollars
2
: as an example
pick any state, say Iowa
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