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

a demonstration that the system works

(2)

mathematics : derivation sense 5

b

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

a demonstration of the new software

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 of demonstration

• rally
• demo

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

At a demonstration in Hangzhou, an operator wearing a motion-capture suit carried out a series of actions, including waving, turning, and kicking a ball, while Titan 01 replicated every movement within milliseconds. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026

Both shootings have drawn criticism from advocates and have led to several demonstrations in Hartford. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026

Iran has installed tens of thousands of cameras in its capital in response to waves of protests, most recently in January, when massive nationwide demonstrations ended in a bloody crackdown that killed many thousands of Iranians. —ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026

Revenue growth and a demonstration of strong monetization on the mountains of cash the company has piled into AI research have certainly not been up to our expectations. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026

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