characterization

noun

char·​ac·​ter·​i·​za·​tion ˌker-ik-t(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce characterization (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gillmor disagreed with Jain’s characterization of the money being expended on the logo and slogan. Grace Hase, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025 Thus, characterization tests are critical. Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025 Surgeons taking a wait-and-see approach to Preservé, however, don’t entirely agree with this characterization of a standard augmentation. Jolene Edgar, Allure, 15 Oct. 2025 That confident tight-wire act, with its time shifts and various mini-characterizations, was a useful precedence for her here as the predominant presence in this three-performer, intermissionless piece. Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for characterization

Word History

Etymology

see character entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of characterization was in 1841

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Characterization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/characterization. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

characterization

noun
char·​ac·​ter·​i·​za·​tion ˌkar-ik-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce characterization (audio)
1
: the act of characterizing
2
: the creation of characters (as in a book or play)

More from Merriam-Webster on characterization

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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