Report Meaning

UK /rɪˈpɔːt/
US /rɪˈpɔːrt/
Word Definition
report meaning

Report Definition & Usage

noun

A structured document or account presenting information on a particular subject, often for formal or official purposes.

Examples

  • "I had to submit a report on the project’s progress by the end of the week."
  • "The police officer filed a report detailing the accident."
  • "She gave a detailed report of her findings during the meeting."
  • "The annual report of the company was released yesterday."
  • "The report on climate change was widely discussed at the summit."
verb

To give a detailed account or description of an event, situation, or subject.

Examples

  • "She will report the results of the survey next week."
  • "The journalist was asked to report on the political unrest."
  • "I need to report the incident to my manager."
  • "He reported the issue to the customer service team."
  • "The scientist reported her findings at the international conference."
noun

A broadcast or communication, typically in the form of news, about an event or situation.

Examples

  • "The news report covered the major earthquake in the region."
  • "Did you hear the report about the new technology in today's broadcast?"
  • "The report about the celebrity wedding went viral on social media."
  • "They aired a special report on the state of the economy last night."
  • "The reporter delivered an in-depth report on the election results."
verb

To present or communicate news or information in a journalistic format.

Examples

  • "The anchor will report on the latest developments in the trial."
  • "He is reporting live from the scene of the protest."
  • "The correspondent reported from the front lines of the conflict."
  • "I will report back to you with any updates."
  • "We are currently reporting on the missing persons case."

Cultural Context

The term 'report' has been used in various professional, governmental, and academic settings for centuries. Its roots can be traced back to the Middle English 'reporten', which means to bring back information. Over time, the meaning expanded to include detailed accounts and official documents in both written and verbal forms. In modern contexts, it is widely used in media, business, and academia to describe a structured analysis of information or events.

The Reporter’s Dilemma

Story

The Reporter’s Dilemma

It was late in the afternoon when Lily sat at her desk, typing furiously. The deadline for her investigative report was fast approaching, and she still hadn’t found the right angle. She had been sent to cover a series of robberies in the downtown area, but what started as a simple news report had grown into something much larger. As she dug deeper into the story, she realized the robberies were connected to a wider criminal network, something the police had been trying to track for months. Lily thought back to the first phone call she had received from her editor. 'We need a full report, Lily. We’re going to air it tonight, prime time.' The pressure was immense. She had been reporting on crimes for years, but this felt different. The truth was far more complicated than anyone had expected. She could feel the weight of the story building with each new detail she uncovered. The next morning, Lily arrived at the news station early. She quickly drafted the report, making sure to cover all the angles she had uncovered. She had included quotes from witnesses, police officers, and even anonymous sources who were close to the investigation. As she hit 'send' on the email to her editor, she felt a sense of accomplishment, but also nervous anticipation. Would they be happy with the report? Later that evening, as Lily watched the broadcast from her living room, she realized how much of her work had been distilled into a short segment. The key points were covered, but much of the complexity had been left out for the sake of brevity. It was the nature of news reporting, she thought, and the report had served its purpose—informing the public while keeping them engaged. But for Lily, the real story had been the journey to uncover the truth, not just the final broadcast. The details, the people she had interviewed, and the complexity of the investigation all told a much richer story than could ever fit into a single news report. And yet, even as the credits rolled on the broadcast, Lily knew she’d be reporting on similar stories for years to come, always chasing the next report, the next truth to uncover.

The Reporter’s Dilemma