by definition
idiom
: because of what something or someone is : according to the definition of a word that is being used to describe someone or something
A volunteer by definition is not paid.
A glider is by definition an aircraft with no engine.
Examples of by definition in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The act of faith, of believing, is by definition something that can’t be seen.
—
Mark Olsen, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Militaries, by definition, are heavy-handed.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Drums are not a musical instrument, by definition.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2026
An in-season tournament almost by definition impacts the importance of the 162-game schedule, and all that comes with it.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
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Mark Olsen, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Militaries, by definition, are heavy-handed.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Drums are not a musical instrument, by definition.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2026
An in-season tournament almost by definition impacts the importance of the 162-game schedule, and all that comes with it.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for by definition
Cite this Entry
“By definition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20definition. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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