refined; refining
1
: to free (something, such as metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities or unwanted material
2
: to free from moral imperfection : elevate
3
: to improve or perfect by pruning or polishing
refine a poetic style
4
: to reduce in vigor or intensity
5
: to free from what is coarse, vulgar, or uncouth
1
: to become pure or perfected
2
: to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions
refiner
noun
Examples of refine in a Sentence
The inventor of the machine spent years refining the design.
The class is meant to help you refine your writing style.
Recent Examples on the Web
In many ways, CFOs are leading this transformation, as AI and humans work together to refine traditionally manual accounting processes, hone real-time analytics and insights, and reshape how their workforce drives value for the business.
—
NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
The Royals will work alongside Estévez to refine his pitching mechanics in hopes of restoring his velocity.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
That includes strengthening its internal culture, refining legal strategy, and maintaining clear standards around results and professional integrity.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Monasteries, often centers of agricultural and culinary innovation, played a key role in refining pickling methods.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refine
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NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
The Royals will work alongside Estévez to refine his pitching mechanics in hopes of restoring his velocity.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
That includes strengthening its internal culture, refining legal strategy, and maintaining clear standards around results and professional integrity.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Monasteries, often centers of agricultural and culinary innovation, played a key role in refining pickling methods.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refine
Cite this Entry
“Refine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refine. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
refine
verb
re·fine
ri-ˈfīn 
refined; refining
1
: to come or bring to a pure state
refine sugar
2
: to make or become improved
3
: to free from what is vulgar
4
: to improve by introducing something that makes a small difference
refined upon the older methods
refiner
noun
Medical Definition
refine
transitive verb
re·fine
ri-ˈfīn
refined; refining
: to free (as sugar or oil) from impurities or unwanted material
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