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
Buyers would, by definition, be the source of demand.
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Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Queen of the South villainess Veronica Falcon agreed bad guys in film and TV deserve better press, even if a villain is by definition evil, as opposed to better-natured Hollywood anti-heroes.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
These individuals are young, highly skilled, and employable by definition.
—Ben Zweig, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Prequels, on the other hand, have a definitive endpoint by definition and don’t allow much by way of transformation.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025
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Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Queen of the South villainess Veronica Falcon agreed bad guys in film and TV deserve better press, even if a villain is by definition evil, as opposed to better-natured Hollywood anti-heroes.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
These individuals are young, highly skilled, and employable by definition.
—Ben Zweig, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Prequels, on the other hand, have a definitive endpoint by definition and don’t allow much by way of transformation.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025
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 8 Nov. 2025.
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