Definition of "emdash" [emdash]

• A symbol ( — ) used in writing and printing to indicate a break in thought or sentence structure, to introduce a phrase added for emphasis, definition, or explanation, or to separate two clauses. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Before I do, though, I’d just like to point out to anyone whose eyes might have lit up at the sight of the word emdash: it’s NEVER correct to use an emdash in a manuscript; standard format requires a doubled dash with a space at either end."
• "Making sure \expndtw-2 that everything is delivered on time and put in place is \expndtw-1 something John does\emdash which is why he's busy now and \expndtw-2 we're not."
• ""I \expndtw1 wanted to sustain the associations to the Inn\emdash which is \expndtw-1 quite historic, you know\emdash and I think it's lovely, but then, \expndtw-2 I did the sketch myself."