display

1 of 2

verb

dis·​play di-ˈsplā How to pronounce display (audio)
displayed; displaying; displays

transitive verb

1
a
: to place or spread (something) for people to see
The gallery displays the work of local artists.
It also comes with a wooden wall mount so you can proudly display it in your living room.Nathan Donkor
If the system displays an error message, you may need to adjust your settings …Andy Wolber
also : to serve as a place for displaying (something)
… a … shop window displaying shimmering silk scarves … Ute Junker
As the robot worked, a screen displayed its progress. Dominic Rushe
b
: to make (an emotion, quality, skill, etc.) evident
displayed great skill
displayed an interest in music
She displayed no emotion upon hearing the news.
c
: to exhibit conspicuously and usually in an ostentatious manner
displayed their wealth
He liked to display his extensive knowledge of Greek mythology.
2
obsolete : descry

intransitive verb

1
: to make a breeding (see breeding sense 4) display
During the mating season king penguins displayed with potential partners: closing their eyes, stretching their heads skyward and moving them in a half-circle to "take peeks" at one another.Ella Davies
2
: to be visible or make something visible (as on the screen of a digital device)
… a rearview camera that displays on the navigation screen when he backs up …Anita Hamilton
This system would allow the computer to display on the television for multimedia presentations …Kellie B. Gormly
3
obsolete : show off
displayable adjective
displayable images

display

2 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
a(1)
: a setting or presentation of something in open view
a fireworks display
(2)
: a clear sign or evidence : exhibition
a display of courage
b
: ostentatious show
worldly display
c
: an eye-catching arrangement by which something is exhibited
a display of artifacts
merchandise in a window display
often used with on
her early paintings are currently on display
d
: an electronic device (such as a LCD) or part of a device (such as the screen of a tablet) that presents information in visual form
a temperature display
also : the visual information presented
e
: type (see type entry 1 sense 2), composition, or printing designed to catch the eye
2
zoology : a pattern of behavior exhibited especially by male birds in the breeding season
Choose the Right Synonym for display

show, exhibit, display, expose, parade, flaunt mean to present so as to invite notice or attention.

show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

showed her snapshots to the whole group

exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

Examples of display in a Sentence

Verb Students displayed their projects at the science fair. Toys were displayed in the store window. Her awards are prominently displayed on the mantel. The museum displays relics found during the excavation of the site. He displayed no emotion when I told him the news. I was impressed by the care she displayed in making the flower arrangements. The rookie player displayed great skill. The company has displayed exceptional dedication to this community. Noun The library's current display features locally made crafts. Her trophies are in a display case. The celebration ended with a spectacular fireworks display.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
While having an anti-social personality can be a trait serial killers display, a common myth is that all serial killers are loners. Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2024 The video shows crew members dashing through aisles lined with glass shelves and cases, helping themselves to pricey goods displayed just so. Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 Under current law, a movie or TV show simply has to display a title card with the Georgia peach logo to claim the extra 10%. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024 Tech-savvy candidates who navigate virtual platforms seamlessly display adaptability and creativity. Ebony Flake, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024 In February, Meyer shared her annual Valentine's Day tribute to Stewart on Instagram, displaying multiple photos of the couple posing together and sharing a kiss by the ocean. Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024 Protesters in Berlin displayed a figure of Mr. Putin bathing in a bath of blood with the Ukrainian flag on the side, alongside shredded ballots in ballot boxes. Emma Burrows and Dasha Litvinova, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Mar. 2024 Lauren is an incredibly perceptive artist who displays thoughts, feelings, and emotion through her unique use of all aspects of film production. Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024 Highlights include a stylish living room displaying an oversized wood-burning brick fireplace with a floating hearth, plus sliding glass doors spilling out to a fenced wraparound deck overlooking the Pacific. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024
Noun
His glorious physique is on full display for much of the series. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024 One highlight: a speakeasy behind a toilet bowl display called Tate Dining Room and Lockdown. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 19 Mar. 2024 Attention to detail starts outside the home, where golden fleur-de-lis accent the wrought iron fencing and a graphic black-and-white tile design greets you at the entrance, alongside a door knob display that features a Gothic Revival-like engraving. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024 The most recent Tailspin Ale Fest was held on March 2 at Bowman Field, where people gathered amid a display of World War II aircraft. Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 19 Mar. 2024 And the Yountville Art Walk proffers a stroll-worthy, year-round display of 38 outdoor sculptures by artists from around the world. Nora Heston Tarte, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024 On TikTok users are posting scenes from inside the grocery stores, where throngs of shoppers rush displays to get their hands on one of the petite bags. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 8 Mar. 2024 Kelly covered up his collection of tattoos with a black wetsuit, while Fox had her new sleeve tattoo on full display. Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 Spanning 1,904 square miles, the Grand Canyon is one of the most stunning displays of erosion found anywhere on Earth. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'display.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English desplaien, displaien, displeien "to unfurl (a banner), spread (the arms), reveal, expound," borrowed from Anglo-French despleier, desplaier, desploier, deplaier "to unfurl, set out to view, reveal, expound" (continental Old French desploier), probably from des- dis- + pleier, ploier "to fold, bend" — more at ply entry 3

Note: Compare deploy. Older references see this verb as an outcome of Latin displicāre, attested in the classical corpus only in Varro's Res rusticae, where it appears to mean "scatter, disperse." In Late Latin, the verb appears once in the sense "explain, expound" in the sermons of Gregory the Great on the book of Ezekiel. Apparent cognates outside Gallo-Romance are probably of secondary origin: Italian dispiegare "to spread out, deploy" may be a derivative of spiegare "to unfold, explain," perhaps modeled on Old French desploier (spiegare itself and synonymous Engadine Romansh splajer are from Latin explicāre—see explicate); and Spanish desplegar "to spread, open out" appears to be a learned formation.

Noun

derivative of display entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of display was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near display

Cite this Entry

“Display.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/display. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

display

1 of 2 verb
dis·​play dis-ˈplā How to pronounce display (audio)
1
: to put in plain view
display the flag
the results displayed on a computer screen
display toys in a store window
2
: to make clear the existence or presence of : make a display of
display anger

display

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: a showing of something
b
: an electronic device (as a cathode-ray tube in a computer or radar receiver) that gives information in visual form
also : the visual information
2
: overdone or unnecessary show
3
: an attractive exhibition

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