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

Critics argue those losses drained taxpayer dollars that could have supported public safety, but the administration rejected that characterization. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025

That means a lot of subsurface work, such as seismic surveys, stratigraphic mapping and reservoir characterization – potentially taking years – would need to be done before any drilling would begin. —Skip York, The Conversation, 9 Dec. 2025

Both companies reject that characterization. —Sheena Samu, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025

The characterizations are complex and thought-provoking, and the descriptions of the natural world put the reader right there. —The Know, Denver Post, 7 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)