demonstration

noun

dem·on·stra·tion | \ ˌde-mən-ˈstrā-shən

Definition of demonstration

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

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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

She and Prince William were also treated to an on-camera demonstration, in which a young child played the part of a news correspondent, microphone and all. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Kate Middleton Steps Out in a Bespoke Jenny Packham Dress and Princess Diana's Earrings," 28 Feb. 2019 The project was to be the first demonstration of TerraPower’s technology. — Jay Greene, WSJ, "Trump’s Tech Battle With China Roils Bill Gates Nuclear Venture," 1 Jan. 2019 Audible’s exhibit is a good physical demonstration of this. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "Audible brought Harry Potter’s bottled memories to life at New York Comic Con," 5 Oct. 2018 The Brock Turner case was a classic demonstration of himpathy. — Sean Illing, Vox, "Brett Kavanaugh and the problem of “himpathy”," 28 Sep. 2018 For the most part, these two missions are technology demonstrations. — John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, "Japan's Team Missed the $30 Million XPRIZE—But Now They're Going to the Moon Anyway," 26 Sep. 2018 Journalists saw young men stripping shelves bare in some supermarkets that were charred during the demonstrations, and several bodies were seen in the streets. — NBC News, "Strike shuts down Haiti capital after three days of protests," 9 July 2018 There will be a live garden demonstration by Casey Lynn Lawrence and live music from Joey Leal. — Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Where to find beer gardens in Milwaukee's southern suburbs," 18 June 2018 Ultimately, no one was arrested at the demonstrations, which in addition to blocking roads outside Victoria Beckham’s show, shut down traffic on the Strand. — Bridget Read, Vogue, "Climate Change Protests Disrupt London Fashion Week," 18 Feb. 2019

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

History and Etymology for demonstration

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

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Last Updated

10 Mar 2019

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Time Traveler for demonstration

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

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More Definitions for demonstration

demonstration

noun

English Language Learners Definition of demonstration

: an act of showing someone how something is used or done

: an event in which people gather together in order to show that they support or oppose something or someone

: an act of showing or proving something

See the full definition for demonstration in the English Language Learners Dictionary

demonstration

noun

dem·on·stra·tion | \ ˌde-mən-ˈstrā-shən

Kids Definition of demonstration

1 : an outward expression (as a show of feelings) a demonstration of affection

2 : an act or a means of showing a cooking demonstration

3 : a showing or using of an article for sale to display its good points

4 : a parade or a gathering to show public feeling

demonstration

noun

dem·on·stra·tion | \ ˌdem-ən-ˈstrā-shən

Medical Definition of demonstration

: 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