Definition & Meaning of "pronoun"

What is a "pronoun"?

A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun in a sentence to avoid repetition and make communication clearer. Pronouns can refer to people, things, or ideas and help to make sentences smoother. Common examples include "he," "she," "it," "they," and "we." For instance, in the sentence "Maria likes ice cream. She eats it every day," "she" is a pronoun that replaces the noun "Maria," and "it" replaces "ice cream." In English, pronouns can show number, indicating whether they refer to singular or plural subjects, as in "he" for singular and "they" for plural. Other languages may have different rules for pronouns, including forms that indicate gender or case, which can add complexity to their use.