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definition

noun

def·i·ni·tion | \ˌde-fə-ˈni-shən

Definition of definition

1a : 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

3a : 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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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 on the Web

The latter, with Night Sight enabled, shows much sharper lines between the bricks and better definition throughout the frame. — Vlad Savov, The Verge, "Google’s Night Sight is subtly awesome in the daytime, too," 26 Nov. 2018 Kate Middleton looked like the definition of a princess tonight wearing an Alexander McQueen gown and tons of diamonds to a state dinner at Buckingham Palace. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "The First Photos of Kate Middleton Wearing an Special Honor From the Queen Are Breathtaking," 24 Oct. 2018 Regardless of your age and definition of fun, Galveston manages to make even the shortest of trips rejuvenating. — Condé Nast Traveler, "3 Best Day Trips from Houston," 12 Oct. 2018 Included in the definition of criminal trespass is the defacing, mutilating or defiling any grave marker, monument, or memorial to one or more deceased persons who served in the military service. — Fox News, "Video from 2011 creates headaches for Sinema," 12 Oct. 2018 The Airstream—which is named Augustine and has its own website—is the very definition of #camperlife. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Couple renovates old Airstream into a bohemian dream," 5 Nov. 2018 Lauren used Le Crayon Lèvres in 93 Beige Innocent for definition, and then applied Rouge Coco Lip Colour in Mademoiselle to the lips with a brush. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Kiernan Shipka’s Makeup Artist Shared the Chanel Products Used at “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” Premiere," 20 Oct. 2018 Katie Thompson Theresia Gouw, co-founder of Aspect Ventures, and Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, president of StubHub, are the definition of friendship goals. — Megan Ditrolio, Marie Claire, "Theresia Gouw and Sukhinder Singh Cassidy Discuss Their Friendship at Marie Claire's Power Trip Conference," 19 Oct. 2018 Packed with veggies and chicken, these personal-size pies are the definition of comfort food. — Tiffani Thiessen, Good Housekeeping, "Creamy Chicken Potpies," 9 Oct. 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.

History and Etymology for 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

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