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
detailed; detailing; details
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
: to make detail drawings
detailer
noun
Synonyms
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
Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2024
The Congressman The congressman was the least nuanced by design, according to Susan Downey, and the only interesting detail was the actor’s black contact lenses.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 Apr. 2024
These true crime cases have become the subject of documentaries and podcasts, diving into the details of the disappearances.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 29 Apr. 2024
Such details matter when the safety of students is at stake.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2024
Instead, those who are registered are asked to monitor lists of names that Hala publishes on its Facebook and Telegram accounts each day that detail who will be allowed to cross into Egypt, and when.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2024
Following her rescue, horrifying details of what happened to Jaycee since that fateful day in 1991 began to emerge.
—Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 28 Apr. 2024
Here are all the details on how and what to shop two days before anyone else.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Apr. 2024
That’s apparent not just in the details but in the way Sheegog today thinks of entertaining guests, who are welcomed each spring and fall.
—Todd Martens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024
Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
The Dead to Me actress, who doesn’t share his gripes with the genre, then detailed the origins of her recent obsession.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2024
The report, which the committee voted down late Monday, detailed how Plocher, through his office, blocked several subpoenas issued by the committee to compel witnesses to testify.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Financial records obtained by the Idaho Statesman through public records requests across a dozen public entities detail the taxpayer dollars already spent on the Kohberger case.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, Reena herself gets lost in the shuffle, despite copious flashbacks that detail not only the months leading up to her passing but the decades of family history that came before.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Apr. 2024
Officer Yvette Norman, the CHP’s Auburn office spokeswoman, declined to detail the incident’s cause but said a driver and a passenger were in a Mazda 3 and were involved in the collision with a Mercedes-Benz.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 16 Apr. 2024
The agenda does not detail the item, but questions about the eligibility of Place 2 candidate Angel Hidalgo have swirled for months.
—Noah Alcala Bach, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2024
The swimsuit is outfitted with ruffle detailing along the plunging neckline and straps, an adjustable tied back, and subtle ruching along the bodice.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024
Noun
The government has put a lid on the investigation, and few details have leaked to the public.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2024
The Congressman The congressman was the least nuanced by design, according to Susan Downey, and the only interesting detail was the actor’s black contact lenses.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 Apr. 2024
These true crime cases have become the subject of documentaries and podcasts, diving into the details of the disappearances.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 29 Apr. 2024
Such details matter when the safety of students is at stake.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2024
Instead, those who are registered are asked to monitor lists of names that Hala publishes on its Facebook and Telegram accounts each day that detail who will be allowed to cross into Egypt, and when.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2024
Following her rescue, horrifying details of what happened to Jaycee since that fateful day in 1991 began to emerge.
—Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 28 Apr. 2024
Here are all the details on how and what to shop two days before anyone else.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Apr. 2024
That’s apparent not just in the details but in the way Sheegog today thinks of entertaining guests, who are welcomed each spring and fall.
—Todd Martens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024
Verb
Tory also made a public Instagram video detailing the ordeal and posted about it in cat rescue groups on Facebook.
—Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
The Dead to Me actress, who doesn’t share his gripes with the genre, then detailed the origins of her recent obsession.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2024
The report, which the committee voted down late Monday, detailed how Plocher, through his office, blocked several subpoenas issued by the committee to compel witnesses to testify.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Financial records obtained by the Idaho Statesman through public records requests across a dozen public entities detail the taxpayer dollars already spent on the Kohberger case.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, Reena herself gets lost in the shuffle, despite copious flashbacks that detail not only the months leading up to her passing but the decades of family history that came before.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Apr. 2024
Officer Yvette Norman, the CHP’s Auburn office spokeswoman, declined to detail the incident’s cause but said a driver and a passenger were in a Mazda 3 and were involved in the collision with a Mercedes-Benz.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 16 Apr. 2024
The agenda does not detail the item, but questions about the eligibility of Place 2 candidate Angel Hidalgo have swirled for months.
—Noah Alcala Bach, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2024
The swimsuit is outfitted with ruffle detailing along the plunging neckline and straps, an adjustable tied back, and subtle ruching along the bodice.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near detail
Cite this Entry
“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detail. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
detail
1 of 2 noun
de·tail
di-ˈtā(ə)l 
ˈdē-ˌtāl
ˈdē-ˌtāl
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 verb1
: to report in detail : specify
detailed their complaints
2
: to assign to a task
detailer
noun
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