define

verb de·fine \ di-ˈfīn \

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

Examples: define in a Sentence

Definition of define

defined; defining

transitive verb

1 a : to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of

whatever defines us as human

b : to discover and set forth the meaning of (something, such as a word)

how the dictionary defines "grotesque"

c : to create on a computer

define a window

define a procedure

2 a : to fix or mark the limits of : demarcate

rigidly defined property lines

b : to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline

the issues aren't too well defined

eyes defined by mascara

3 : characterize, distinguish

you define yourself by the choices you make
—Denison Univ. Bull.

the moment that defined the campaign

intransitive verb

: to make a definition (see definition 1a)

—

definement

play \-ˈfīn-mənt\ noun

—

definer

play \-ˈfī-nər\ noun

See define defined for English-language learners

See define defined for kids

Examples of define in a Sentence

a term that is difficult to define
The government study seeks to define urban poverty.
Her book aims to define acceptable social behavior.
She believes that success should be defined in terms of health and happiness.
That fence defines the far edge of the property.

Recent Examples of define from the Web

Controversy over departure also has defined much of the nation’s political debate and discussion for two years.

— arthur i. cyr, Lake County News-Sun, "Cyr: Britain’s prime minister takes charge of cabinet," 13 July 2018
President Trump’s broadsides against NATO have rattled a military alliance that has existed for 69 years and that has helped to define the global order since shortly after World War II.

— john fritze, USA TODAY, "What is NATO and why is Donald Trump slamming it?," 12 July 2018
Could this drummer, a Guggenheim fellow who helped define percussion's role in free jazz, really also be an expert in martial arts, acupuncture and cardiac health?

— john defore, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Milford Graves: Full Mantis': Film Review," 11 July 2018
But thanks to a couple of Zidane headers and the star that’s been on the jersey ever since, that team is helping define the postgame narrative 20 years later.

— brian straus, SI.com, "Le Bleuprint: France Follows Familiar World Cup Path in Reaching Final," 10 July 2018
One of the ways in which Watt endeared herself to co-workers was to remember both a lesson and an example that was set by her grandfather, Ray Watt, a prolific and innovative developer who helped define the look of modern Southern California.

— ronald d. white, latimes.com, "Nadine Watt tried to avoid the family business. Now she helps run it," 6 July 2018
Expectations for success weigh especially heavily on Brazil, since its success in the tournament has helped define the nation’s identity.

— franklin foer, The Atlantic, "The Annoying Genius Who Makes the World Cup Worth Watching," 5 July 2018
How Lopez Obrador handles relations with Trump, who has also sparred with Mexico over the U.S. president's call for a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border, will help define the new administration which will take office on Dec. 1.

— katherine blunt, Houston Chronicle, "Mexican election spells uncertainty for foreign energy investments," 2 July 2018
In 2016, Mike graduated from Texas A&M with a Masters of Industrial Distribution to help his wife define the family business and create the image of Guardian Industrial Supply.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 7/1," 1 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'define.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of define

Middle English diffinen, defynen, borrowed from Anglo-French definer, diffiner, borrowed (with conjugation change) from Medieval Latin dēfīnīre, diffīnīre (dif- by association with dif-, assimilated form of dis- dis-), going back to Latin dēfīnīre "to mark the limits of, determine, give an exact description of," from dē- de- + fīnīre "to mark out the boundaries of, limit" — more at ¹finish

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

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