demonstration

noun

dem·​on·​stra·​tion ˌde-mən-ˈstrā-shən How to pronounce demonstration (audio)
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 adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Those demonstrations are expected to test Tranche 1 satellite compatibility and expand airborne-to-space optical links across multiple domains. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025 French media had reported that 100,000 people were expected to take part in the demonstrations. Stephane Mahe, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025 The event will be hosted by Caitlin and Tom Moriarty at Moriarty Meats, who will be providing regional specialty sandwiches—boeuf on weck—to fuel us through an evening of live butchery demonstration, an author Q&A, and book signing. Chloe Sorvino, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 After the results were announced, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took the streets of the capital, Tbilisi, demanding the results be annulled – and more than 300 days later, demonstrations continue. Leila Fadel, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for demonstration

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of demonstration was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Demonstration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demonstration. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

demonstration

noun
dem·​on·​stra·​tion ˌdem-ən-ˈstrā-shən How to pronounce demonstration (audio)
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 How to pronounce demonstration (audio)
: 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

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