described; describing
1
: to represent or give an account of in words
describe a picture
The police asked her to describe the thief.
The article describes how the experiment was done.
There were so many things he wanted to describe …—
James Joyce
James Joyce2
: to represent by a figure, model, or picture : delineate
described in her paintings what she saw from her window
3
obsolete
: distribute
4
: to trace or traverse the outline of
describe a circle
describer
noun
de·scrib·er
-bə(r)
plural -s
1
: one that describes
2
British
: an instrument giving details about trains moving or scheduled to move between given points
Examples of describe in a Sentence
Verb
The witness wasn't able to describe the robber.
He described the house in perfect detail.
The article describes how the experiment was done.
She described watching dolphins play beside the ship.
Please describe what happened next.
Can you describe the lost dog to me?
She used a stick to describe a circle on the ground.
Recent Examples on the Web
Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
Nemecek described Rogers as one of the most influential communicators of the 20th century, whose reach extended across journalism, radio, film and public commentary.
—Daily News, 9 June 2026
People have described us as a very nostalgic band.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026
The Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s Office described Metcalf’s killing in Frisco as an unjustified, provoked murder.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for describe
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show current usage.
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Verb
The park is a living-history museum where visitors can experience life during the Civil War, as described and demonstrated by staff members and volunteers in period clothing.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
Nemecek described Rogers as one of the most influential communicators of the 20th century, whose reach extended across journalism, radio, film and public commentary.
—Daily News, 9 June 2026
People have described us as a very nostalgic band.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026
The Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s Office described Metcalf’s killing in Frisco as an unjustified, provoked murder.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for describe
Cite this Entry
“Describe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/describe. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
describe
verb
de·scribe
di-ˈskrīb 
described; describing
1
: to represent or give an account of in words
2
: to trace the outline of
describe a circle
describer
noun
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