definition

noun def·i·ni·tion \ ˌde-fə-ˈni-shən \

Examples: definition in a Sentence

Definition of definition

1 a : a statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol

dictionary definitions

b : a statement expressing the essential nature of something

c : a product of defining

2 : the action or process of stating the meaning of a word or word group

3 a : the action or the power of describing, explaining, or making definite and clear

the definition of a telescope

her comic genius is beyond definition

b (1) : clarity of visual presentation : distinctness of outline or detail

improve the definition of an image

(2) : clarity especially of musical sound in reproduction

c : sharp demarcation of outlines or limits

a jacket with distinct waist definition

4 : an act of determining; specifically : the formal proclamation of a Roman Catholic dogma

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definitional

play \-ˈni-shə-nᵊl\ adjective

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See definition defined for kids

Examples of definition in a Sentence

For the last eight years or so, I've been watching the evolution of bikes made for women. At the beginning of that time, there were a small number of women's bikes available, most offered with low-end, sometimes no-name, spec, as if by definition all women riders were beginners. —Christine Bucher, Bicycling, March 2008
Not only is Ellen Byrne a chocolatier, but she takes the definition of artisan to a higher level. —Amy Johansson, Chocolatier, February/March 2006
One kind of poverty is that of the imagination—the inability to envision a future truly different from the present. Jasmine had long judged people based on whether or not they gave her food and clothing, but, as she watched Carolyn and Gus and other families, she found herself mulling different gauges of worth. She'd been working lately on a definition of love. —Katherine Boo, New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2005
Ideology thus provides definition of both systemic reality and values: it provides a set of preconceptions of what is and of what ought to be. —Warren J. Samuels, Modern Economic Thought, (1977) 1993
What is the legal definition of a corporation?
A week of fishing is my definition of a vacation.
a monitor with good definition and vibrant colors

Recent Examples of definition from the Web

After all, what is legal scholarship on the progressive left but a constant effort to create new definitions and new interpretations of longstanding language?

— james freeman, WSJ, "Amy Coney Barrett and the Left’s Loudest Dogma," 9 July 2018
Never mind the performance and the potential of this team, its road to the final, by definition, is the easiest.

— avi creditor, SI.com, "World Cup Quarterfinal Power Rankings: Field Narrows to Powers, Surprises," 4 July 2018
Ahinon and Havemann hope that clear definitions and guidelines will pre-empt any misconceptions.

— smriti mallapaty, Scientific American, "African Scientists Launch their Own Preprint," 26 June 2018
Your show is all about lending definition and an edge to what’s vague and generic in neighborhoods.

— r. daniel foster, latimes.com, "Orange County's boring 'burbs get HGTV makeovers," 22 June 2018
The Sugar Hill City Council voted recently to amend the alcoholic beverage code to redefine the definition and requirements for a restaurant and to allow for an entertainment district within the Central Business District.

— karen huppertz, ajc, "Sugar Hill redefines restaurants and sets entertainment district," 20 June 2018
Like dry shampoo, sea salt spray absorbs excess oils so that your hair lifts itself up and separates for some nice definition and texture.

— adam hurly, GQ, "How to Get Beach Hair If You're Not at the Beach," 19 June 2018
Each Attack Max comes with two sets of lenses—in my case, a Mirror Red that is optimal for bright light and amplifies color and definition, and a clear lens for rainy days and night riding.

— aaron gulley, Outside Online, "8 New Riding Sunglasses for Summer," 13 June 2018
The multimedia presentation will discuss the coming out process, the transition process (G-rated), the acceptance process, terms and definitions and the right and wrong questions to ask transgender people.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The West Hartford Edition," 5 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of definition

Middle English diffinicioun, borrowed from Anglo-French diffiniciun, definiciun, borrowed from Latin dēfīnītiōn-, dēfīnītiō "fixing of a boundary, precise description," from dēfīnīre "to mark the limits of, determine, define" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 4

See Words from the same year

definition Synonyms

Synonyms

delineation, depiction, description, picture, portrait, portraiture, portrayal, rendering, sketch, vignette;

demonstration, exemplification, illustration;

clarification, elucidation, explanation, explication, exposition;

DEFINITION Defined for English Language Learners

definition

noun

Definition of definition for English Language Learners

: an explanation of the meaning of a word, phrase, etc. : a statement that defines a word, phrase, etc.
: a statement that describes what something is
: a clear or perfect example of a person or thing