delineation

noun de·lin·ea·tion \ -ˌli-nē-ˈā-shən \

Updated on: 16 Mar 2018

Definition of delineation

1 : the act of outlining or representing something with lines or words : the act of delineating

the delineation of a scene

… the delineation of the territories allotted to the seven tribes of Israel …
—Adam Nicholson

2 : something made by delineating

a photographic delineation of low life
—T. S. Eliot

—

delineative

play \-ˈli-nē-ˌā-tiv\ adjective

Examples of delineation in a Sentence

his simple but striking delineations of Dutch landscapes
a finely wrought delineation of a young woman's first experience with romantic love

Recent Examples of delineation from the Web

But role delineation was certainly part of Cleveland's downfall.

— chris fedor, cleveland.com, "Cavaliers excited to see Richard Jefferson again, expecting to hear lots of (soup?) jokes Saturday," 5 Mar. 2018
Memling’s precise delineation, incorporation of landscape backgrounds, piquant detail, and glowing color in oil glazes became aspects of Wood’s style.

— steven strogatz, The New Yorker, "Beyond “American Gothic”," 5 Mar. 2018
While Daimler said the move isn’t a prelude to a spin-off of any of the businesses, some investors have called on the company to consider an eventual split on the back of the clearer delineation between the units.

— Bloomberg.com, "Fed Chair Jerome Powell Testifies to Congress," 23 Feb. 2018
Expenditures covered by the grant will total more than $31,000 for the cost of lumber, prairie plants, trees and the wetland delineations.

— jim riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A step toward New Berlin's Central Park: Grant reinforces plans for City Center area," 29 Jan. 2018
In Montecito, the rapid delineation of risk zones led to the evacuations that undoubtedly helped save many hundreds of lives.

— lee macdonald, Washington Post, "Those deadly mudslides you’ve read about? Expect worse in the future.," 20 Jan. 2018
But to expand beyond DACA would be to establish a whole new amnesty program, from scratch, and requires a delineation and justification of its eligibility requirements.

— mark krikorian, National Review, "DACA or DACA-Plus?," 12 Feb. 2018
Reestablish clarity and order through the delineation of the historic footprint.

— San Antonio Express-News, "Q & A: Meet your Texas Land Commissioner candidates," 11 Feb. 2018
The orchestra was large and displayed a sumptuous sound that in no way smoothed over their alert delineation of Haydn's brilliant contrapuntal writing.

— special to the plain dealer, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Orchestra pulls off a save after illness strikes singers in Haydn's 'The Seasons' (review)," 19 Jan. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of delineation

see delineate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1570

See Words from the same year

delineation Synonyms

Synonyms

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

demonstration, exemplification, illustration;

clarification, elucidation, explanation, explication, exposition;

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See words that rhyme with delineation Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for delineation Britannica English: Translation of delineation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about delineation

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delineation

Definition of delineation

delineative

Examples of delineation in a Sentence

Recent Examples of delineation from the Web

Origin and Etymology of delineation

delineation Synonyms

Synonyms

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delineation

Definition of delineation

delineative

Examples of delineation in a Sentence

Recent Examples of delineation from the Web

Origin and Etymology of delineation

delineation Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Learn More about delineation

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