From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishapostrophea‧pos‧tro‧phe /əˈpɒstrəfi $ əˈpɑː-/ noun [countable] a) SLAthe sign (') that is used in writing to show that numbers or letters have been left out, as in ‘don’t’ (=do not) and ’86 (=1986) b) CONNECTED WITHthe same sign used before ‘s’ to show that something belongs to someone or something, or is connected with them, as in ‘John’s book’, or ‘Charles’ mother’, or ‘Henry’s first year as a teacher’ c) SLAthe same sign used before ‘s’ to show the plural of letters and numbers as in “Your r’s look like v’s.”
Examples from the Corpus
apostrophe• The Romantic plays increase the interrogations, apostrophes, abrupt interruptions, exclamations and leaders that were so evident in sentimental comedy.• For single quotes or apostrophes leave out the Shift key.• The basic idea is this: use apostrophes to show that one thing owns, or possesses, another.Origin apostrophe (1500-1600) French Late Latin apostrophus, from Greek, from apostrephein “to turn away”, from apo- ( → APOCALYPSE) + strephein “to turn” 