described; describing
1
: to represent or give an account of in words
describe a picture
The police asked her to describe the thief.
The article describes how the experiment was done.
There were so many things he wanted to describe …—
James Joyce
James Joyce2
: to represent by a figure, model, or picture : delineate
described in her paintings what she saw from her window
3
obsolete
: distribute
4
: to trace or traverse the outline of
describe a circle
describer
noun
Examples of describe in a Sentence
The witness wasn't able to describe the robber.
He described the house in perfect detail.
The article describes how the experiment was done.
She described watching dolphins play beside the ship.
Please describe what happened next.
Can you describe the lost dog to me?
She used a stick to describe a circle on the ground.
Recent Examples on the Web
Afghan authorities never described what laws Coyle was accused of violating.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Wrapping production last October, Carrie is described as a reimagining of the story of misfit high schooler Carrie White, who has spent her life in seclusion with her domineering mother.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Johnson later described the presence of dozens of ICE agents at O’Hare as an effort to spark fear.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Records describe ties between the operators and local fire leadership.
—Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for describe
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show current usage.
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Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Wrapping production last October, Carrie is described as a reimagining of the story of misfit high schooler Carrie White, who has spent her life in seclusion with her domineering mother.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Johnson later described the presence of dozens of ICE agents at O’Hare as an effort to spark fear.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Records describe ties between the operators and local fire leadership.
—Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for describe
Cite this Entry
“Describe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/describe. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
describe
verb
de·scribe
di-ˈskrīb 
described; describing
1
: to represent or give an account of in words
2
: to trace the outline of
describe a circle
describer
noun
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