Definitions

1. noun

A punctuation mark used to set off a quotation or a parenthetical remark.

“The writer used an em dash to emphasize her point.”

2. abbreviation

Equivalent to the word ‘at the end of’, used in the context of measurements, e.g. ‘em’ is short for ‘ex minus’ or ‘ex minus meters’.

“The sign on the wall read 3em high.”

3. prefix

A prefix used in various words, often indicating a sense of ‘in’ or ‘within’, e.g. ‘em-bodied’, ‘em-body’.

“The prefix ‘em-‘ is used in words like ‘em-body’ to convey a sense of ‘within’.”