punch line

noun

1. the climactic phrase or sentence in a joke, speech, advertisement, or humorous story that produces the desired effect.

punch line

noun

1. the culminating part of a joke, funny story, etc, that gives it its humorous or dramatic point

Word History and Origins

Origin of punch line¹

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Example Sentences

How happy it has been to discover my youthful ignorance as the true punch line.

From Los Angeles Times

The vice presidency has often served as the punch line in a long-running joke — that is, when the office and its occupant have gotten any attention at all.

From Los Angeles Times

And Vance has turned in a mixed performance on the campaign trail, struggling to turn anti-woke culture war material into punch lines.

From Salon

Santos, who won a Long Island congressional seat in a 2022 midterms upset, became an unlikely national punch line when it turned out he concocted most of his life story.

From Seattle Times

Within minutes, she’d blabbed to everyone, making it sound like a big joke—with Jess and the twins as the punch line.

From Literature