detail

1 of 2

noun

1
: extended treatment of or attention to particular items
explaining without going into detail
giving careful attention to detail
2
: a part of a whole: such as
a
: a small and subordinate part : particular
planned the wedding down to the smallest detail
also : a reproduction of such a part of a work of art
b
: a part considered or requiring to be considered separately from the whole
discussing the details of the building's columns
c
: the small elements that collectively constitute a work of art
admire the great detail of his work
d
photography : the small elements of an image corresponding to those of the subject
strong lighting to achieve clarity of detail
3
a
: selection of a person or group for a particular task (as in military service)
b(1)
: the person or group selected
a member of a security detail
police details at the parade
(2)
: the task to be performed
were assigned to kitchen detail

detail

2 of 2

verb

detailed; detailing; details

transitive verb

1
: to report minutely and distinctly : to report with close attention to small elements : specify
detailed their grievances
wrote a letter detailing her vacation
2
: to assign to a particular task
was detailed to another unit during maneuvers
3
: to furnish with the smaller elements of design and finish
trimmings that detail slips and petticoats
4
: to clean and refurbish (a vehicle) very thoroughly and meticulously
detail a car

intransitive verb

: to make detail drawings
detailer noun
Phrases
in detail
: with all the particulars
explained the job in detail
Choose the Right Synonym for detail

item, detail, particular mean one of the distinct parts of a whole.

item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated.

every item on the list

detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process.

leave the details to others

particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item.

a description that included few particulars

Examples of detail in a Sentence

Noun Every detail of the wedding was carefully planned. They designed every detail of the house. the wooden box's fine carved detail We admired the detail of the artist's work. The job requires attention to detail. The article provides further details. You left out an important detail about their new baby: is it a girl or boy? The novel is full of historical details. The book includes a wealth of detail on living conditions aboard ships at that time. The novel is full of historical detail. Verb The book details the series of events that led to the tragedy. She wrote a letter detailing her complaints. The Army has detailed him to investigate the complaints.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
While officials haven’t given many details about the health status of Catherine or Charles, the messaging has been upbeat. Karla Adam, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024 The Times shared details from Ms. Chaure’s file with Dr. Farinaz Seifi, the director of gynecology at Bridgeport Hospital and a professor at the Yale School of Medicine. Qadri Inzamam Saumya Khandelwal, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024 The cruise line did not offer any further details about the crew members, nor which agency was handling the investigation. CBS News, 23 Mar. 2024 Dino Lucarelli’s penchant for detail extends beyond the confines of the boardroom, as evidenced by his role in uncovering systemic inefficiencies and embezzlement in various industries. Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024 Terry leads a rather private life, but Jamie can be seen supporting her daughters and sharing details of life via her Instagram account, which has over 34,000 followers. Mckinley Franklin, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2024 No significant new details of the case emerged during the hearing. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024 The palace released a two-minute video on Friday, March 21, in which the 42-year-old speaks directly to camera about the details of her surgery, recovery, and current health status. Sam Reed, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2024 One of the teens also posed as a police officer to his wife, though the details of the incident have not been released. Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024
Verb
Baker also details how Hilltop Park, the first home of the Highlanders—an American League team that, in the nineteen-tens, would become the Yankees—was developed and leased by a rogues’ gallery of Tammany politicians and cops, hidden, in the classic Mob move, behind a figurehead owner. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024 The 76-year-old actor detailed his decision to undergo the medical procedure in a recent newsletter, updating readers on his swift recovery process and revisiting the timeline of his previous open-heart surgeries. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2024 For many, the Book of Esther’s last full chapter, which details how Jews killed the Persians, has become particularly uncomfortable in light of the war. Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 The search, while detailing how Garvey owed substantial amounts across California, did not always say whether the lien has been paid or released or is still open. David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2024 The design also featured distressed fringe detailing on the bottom of the skirt and rosette adornments. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 But the official rejected the idea that the Chinese government has detailed knowledge about community leaders and works with them even if they are involved in criminal activity. Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 22 Mar. 2024 Ahead of his resignation, local news website Everything Lubbock detailed how Mitchell tried to prevent the release of records that revealed how the faulty 911 dispatch system delayed first responders during an active-shooter training held by the city’s police department. Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024 This evidence explains how Hildebrandt entered the lives of the Franke family and details the abuse. Samantha Wanderer, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detail.' 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

Noun and Verb

French détail, from Old French detail slice, piece, from detaillier to cut in pieces, from de- + taillier to cut — more at tailor

First Known Use

Noun

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1650, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of detail was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near detail

Cite this Entry

“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detail. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

detail

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a dealing with something item by item
go into detail about an event
b
: a small part or feature : item
the details of a story
2
a
: selection (as of a group of soldiers) for some special service
b
: a soldier or group of soldiers appointed for special duty

detail

2 of 2 verb
1
: to report in detail : specify
detailed their complaints
2
: to assign to a task
detailer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on detail

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