define

verb

de·​fine di-ˈfīn How to pronounce define (audio)
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
computing : to create with established rules or parameters
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 makeDenison Univ. Bull.
the moment that defined the campaign

intransitive verb

: to make a definition (see definition sense 1a)
definement noun
definer noun

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 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.
Around the world, access to finance remains a persistent form of inequality—defined not only by whether people can open bank accounts, but by whether they are treated fairly within the system. Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025 Morrison, along with the Doors, were early pioneers of the psychedelic blues-rock that would define the late 1960s and early 1970s. Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 20 May 2025 Sentenced as a young adult to 60 years behind bars, Maurice’s story could have ended there, defined forever by one devastating moment. Elizabeth Hinton, Hartford Courant, 20 May 2025 The city is also the cradle of Puerto Rican salsa, the birthplace of the late ‘60s and ‘70s Latin music revolution defined by legends such as the Fania All Stars. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for define

Word History

Etymology

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 finish entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of define was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/define. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

define

verb
de·​fine di-ˈfīn How to pronounce define (audio)
defined; defining
1
a
: to determine the essential qualities of
define the idea of loyalty
define a circle
b
: to set forth the meaning of
define a word
c
: to specify (as a programming task) for a computer to use
define a procedure
2
a
: to fix or mark the limits of
the boundary was clearly defined
b
: to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline
the tree was well defined against the sky
your argument is not well defined
definable
-ˈfī-nə-bəl
adjective
definer noun
Etymology

Middle English definen "to define, mark the limits of," Latin definire (same meaning), from Latin de- "from, away" and finire "to limit," from finis "end, limit" — related to final, finish, infinity

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