characterization

noun

char·​ac·​ter·​i·​za·​tion ˌker-ik-t(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌka-rik-

: the act of characterizing

especially : the artistic representation (as in fiction or drama) of human character or motives

the author's characterization of the boy as someone who wanted to be accepted by others

Examples of characterization in a Sentence

The reporter was criticized for his characterization of the people of the town as poor and uneducated.

News reporting requires accurate characterization.

The class discussed the author's characterization of the boy as someone who wanted to be accepted by others.

The story has good characterization.

Recent Examples on the Web

The association rejects ByteDance’s characterization of the infringement as unauthorized use of intellectual property by its users. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026

Other watchdog groups and news organizations that have scrutinized ICE data have questioned the administration’s characterizations of those arrested, too. —John Aguilar, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026

Armstrong, in a separate submission to the court on Wednesday, asking for the judge to modify her conditions of release, similarly disputed the DOJ’s characterization of events. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 21 Feb. 2026

The network pushed back on Colbert's characterization. —Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see character entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing characterization

• self-characterization

Rhymes for characterization

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

Kids Definition

characterization

noun

char·​ac·​ter·​i·​za·​tion ˌkar-ik-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: the act of characterizing

2

: the creation of characters (as in a book or play)