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

Four surgeons who are not involved in Vivian’s case but also perform vertebral body tethering pushed back on Aetna’s characterization of the surgery’s risks and outcomes, saying that the benefits have become clearer over time as surgeons learn which patients are a good fit. —Kate Snow, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025

That characterization is tenuous. —Evan Drellich, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025

Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi initially described the shooting as gang-related, but Withrow declined to confirm that characterization. —Kathleen Quinn, Sacbee.com, 1 Dec. 2025

Pomerleau has refuted McLaughlin's characterization of the case. —Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025

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)