1. curved marks ( ) used in pairs to enclose words or figures that clarify or are incidental to the main text
Usage: plural of parenthesis
2. an explanatory or qualifying word, clause, or sentence inserted into a passage
Usage: plural of parenthesis

Examples

• The author used parentheses to include additional information.
• Please put your phone number in parentheses after your name.
• The equation requires parentheses to show the order of operations.
• She added several parentheses to clarify her meaning.
• The reference citation should be placed in parentheses.
• Mathematical expressions often contain multiple sets of parentheses.
• His frequent parentheses made the text difficult to follow.