report Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
    written report; study.
    • this accords with the recent study by Hill and Dale
  2. noun the act of informing by verbal report
    account.
    • he heard reports that they were causing trouble
    • by all accounts they were a happy couple
  3. noun a short account of the news
    story; account; news report; write up.
    • the report of his speech
    • the story was on the 11 o'clock news
    • the account of his speech that was given on the evening news made the governor furious
  4. noun a sharp explosive sound (especially the sound of a gun firing)
    • they heard a violent report followed by silence
  5. noun a written evaluation of a student's scholarship and deportment
    report card.
    • his father signed his report card
  6. noun an essay (especially one written as an assignment)
    theme; paper; composition.
    • he got an A on his composition
  7. noun the general estimation that the public has for a person
    reputation.
    • he acquired a reputation as an actor before he started writing
    • he was a person of bad report
  8. verb to give an account or representation of in words
    account; describe.
    • Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
  9. verb announce as the result of an investigation or experience or finding
    • Dozens of incidents of wife beatings are reported daily in this city
    • The team reported significant advances in their research
  10. verb announce one's presence
    • I report to work every day at 9 o'clock
  11. verb make known to the authorities
    • One student reported the other to the principal
  12. verb be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism
    cover.
    • Snow reported on China in the 1950's
    • The cub reporter covered New York City
  13. verb complain about; make a charge against
    • I reported her to the supervisor

WordNet

Re*port" transitive verb
Etymology
F. reporter to carry back, carry (cf. rapporter; see Rapport), L. reportare to bear or bring back; pref. re- re- + portare to bear or bring. See Port bearing, demeanor.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Reported; present participle & verbal noun Reporting
Definitions
  1. To refer. Obs.
    Baldwin, his son, . . . succeeded his father; so like unto him that we report the reader to the character of King Almeric, and will spare the repeating his description. Fuller.
  2. To bring back, as an answer; to announce in return; to relate, as what has been discovered by a person sent to examine, explore, or investigate; as, a messenger reports to his employer what he has seen or ascertained; the committee reported progress.
    There is no man that may reporten all. Chaucer.
  3. To give an account of; to relate; to tell; to circulate publicly, as a story; as, in the common phrase, it is reported. Shak.
    It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel. Neh. vi. 6.
  4. To give an official account or statement of; as, a treasurer reperts the recepts and expenditures.
  5. To return or repeat, as sound; to echo. Obs. or R. "A church with windowss only form above, that reporteth the voice thirteen times." Bacon.
  6. (Parliamentary Practice) To return or present as the result of an examination or consideration of any matter officially referred; as, the committee reported the bill witth amendments, or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry.
  7. To make minutes of, as a speech, or the doings of a public body; to write down from the lips of a speaker.
  8. To write an account of for publication, as in a newspaper; as, to report a public celebration or a horse race.
  9. To make a statement of the conduct of, especially in an unfavorable sense; as, to report a servant to his employer. Syn. -- To relate; narrate; tell; recite; describe.
Re*port" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make a report, or response, in respect of a matter inquired of, a duty enjoined, or information expected; as, the committee will report at twelve o'clock.
  2. To furnish in writing an account of a speech, the proceedings at a meeting, the particulars of an occurrence, etc., for publication.
  3. To present one's self, as to a superior officer, or to one to whom service is due, and to be in readiness for orders or to do service; also, to give information, as of one's address, condition, etc.; as, the officer reported to the general for duty; to report weekly by letter.
Re*port" noun
Etymology
Cf. F. rapport. See Report.v. t.
Definitions
  1. That which is reported. Specifically: (a) An account or statement of the results of examination or inquiry made by request or direction; relation. "From Thetis sent as spies to make report." Waller. (b) A story or statement circulating by common talk; a rumor; hence, fame; repute; reputation.
    It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. 1 Kings x. 6.
    Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and . . . of good report among all the nation of the Jews. Acts x. 22.
    (c) Sound; noise; as, the report of a pistol or cannon. (d) An official statement of facts, verbal or written; especially, a statement in writing of proceedings and facts exhibited by an officer to his superiors; as, the reports of the heads af departments to Congress, of a master in chancery to the court, of committees to a legislative body, and the like. (e) An account or statement of a judicial opinion or decision, or of case argued and determined in a court of law, chancery, etc.; also, in the plural, the volumes containing such reports; as, Coke's Reports. (f) A sketch, or a fully written account, of a speech, debate, or the proceedings of a public meeting, legislative body, etc.
  2. Rapport; relation; connection; reference. Obs.
    The corridors worse, having no report to the wings they join to. Evelyn.
    Syn. -- Account; relation; narration; detail; description; recital; narrative; story; rumor; hearsay.

Webster 1913