demarcate

verb

de·​mar·​cate di-ˈmär-ˌkāt  ˈdē-ˌmär- 

demarcated; demarcating

transitive verb

1

: delimit

a plot of land demarcated by a low stone wall

2

: to set apart : distinguish

demarcate teachers as mentor, master and model teachers based on their level of education

—Shanay Cadette

Did you know?

It’s reasonable to assume that demarcate inspired the noun demarcation—many a noun has been formed by adding the suffix -ion to an existing verb. But in this case you'd also be wrong; demarcation came first, with the verb demarcate following as a back-formation. We can ultimately thank Spanish for both: the Spanish noun demarcación (from demarcar, "to delimit") was used in 1493 to name a meridian dividing New World territory between Spain and Portugal. (A Spanish-born pope chose a meridian that favored Spain greatly.) Centuries later, English speakers began calling this boundary the "line of demarcation," and eventually applied that phrase to other dividing lines as well. By the early 19th century, demarcation had been verbified to create demarcate.

Synonyms

• bound
• circumscribe
• define
• delimit
• demark
• limit
• mark (off)
• terminate

Examples of demarcate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The show unfurls chronologically and thematically, each subject demarcated with vivid walls thanks to the set design by Paf Atelier under the artistic direction of Anette Lenz, who was inspired by Poiret’s use of bold Fauvist colors throughout his career. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 20 June 2025

However, Thailand does not recognize the ICJ’s jurisdiction and claims that some areas along the border were never fully demarcated, including the sites of several ancient temples. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 19 June 2025

Akin to Taylor Swift’s Era’s tour, each section of the set was dedicated to one of the band’s albums, demarcated by highlights from their 18-year career. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2025

This means organizing the world into distinct spheres of influence, boundaries that demarcate the spaces where a great power has the right to practice unfettered expansion and domination. —Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from demarcation, from Spanish demarcación, from demarcar to delimit, from de- + marcar to mark, probably from Italian marcare, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German marha boundary — more at mark

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for demarcate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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Kids Definition

demarcate

verb

de·​mar·​cate di-ˈmär-ˌkāt  ˈdē-ˌmär- 

demarcated; demarcating

1

: to mark the limits or boundaries of

2

: to set apart : distinguish sense 4

demarcation

ˌdē-ˌmär-ˈkā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

demarcate

transitive verb

de·​mar·​cate di-ˈmär-ˌkāt  ˈdē-ˌ 

demarcated; demarcating

1

: to mark or determine the limits of

2

: to set apart clearly or distinctly as if by definite limits or boundaries

demarcation noun

also demarkation

ˌdē-ˌmär-ˈkā-shən