demonstration

noun

dem·​on·​stra·​tion ˌde-mən-ˈstrā-shən 

1

: an act, process, or means of demonstrating to the intelligence

a demonstration of how to prune a tree

: such as

a(1)

: conclusive evidence : proof

a demonstration of her guilt

(2)

mathematics : derivation sense 5

b

: a showing of the merits of a product or service to a prospective consumer

a vacuum cleaner demonstration

2

: an outward expression or display

a demonstration of compassion

3

: a show of armed force

4

: a public display of group feelings toward a person or cause

peaceful demonstrations against the government

anti-war demonstrations

demonstrational

ˌde-mən-ˈstrā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• demo [British]
• rally

Examples of demonstration in a Sentence

I went to a sculpture demonstration last weekend.

One of the instructors gave a demonstration of how to prune a tree.

Would you mind giving us a demonstration so that we can see how the machine works?

He brought along a copy of the software for demonstration.

Students took part in several nonviolent demonstrations against the government.

The latest tests are a clear demonstration that the vaccine works.

Many people sent cards and flowers in demonstration of their sympathy.

Recent Examples on the Web

The tactic was inspired by past mass demonstrations against Trump, such as the January 2017 Women's March. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025

The White House did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment on demonstrations but did make a Saturday post online in reference to Abrego Garcia. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2025

The events ranged from rallies in midtown Manhattan and in front of the White House to a demonstration at a Massachusetts commemoration marking the start of the American Revolutionary War 250 years ago. —CBS News, 19 Apr. 2025

The grant was a casualty of the Trump administration withdrawing $400 million in funding from Columbia over its alleged weak response to antisemitic campus demonstrations. —Michael L. Millenson, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English demonstracioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French demonstration, demustracioun, borrowed from Latin dēmonstrātiōn-, dēmonstrātiō "action of pointing out, description, explanation" (Late Latin, "deduction, proof"), from dēmonstrāre "to indicate, describe, show" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at demonstrate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing demonstration

• counter-demonstration

Rhymes for demonstration

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

demonstration

noun

dem·​on·​stra·​tion ˌdem-ən-ˈstrā-shən 

1

: an act, process, or means of demonstrating the truth of something:

a

: convincing evidence

b

: an explanation (as of a theory) by experiment

c

: a course of reasoning intended to prove that a conclusion must be true when certain conditions are accepted

d

: a showing or using of a product for sale to display its good points

2

: an outward expression or display

a demonstration of joy

3

: a show of armed force

4

: a public display of group feelings toward a person or cause

Medical Definition

demonstration

noun

dem·​on·​stra·​tion ˌdem-ən-ˈstrā-shən 

: an act, process, or means of demonstrating to the intelligence

especially : a proof by experiment

a demonstration of the neutralization of an acid by a base