given

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adjective giv·en \ ˈgi-vən \

Definition of given

1 :prone, disposed

given to swearing

2 :presented as a gift :bestowed without compensation

3 a :particular, specified

at a given time

b :assumed as actual or hypothetical :granted

given that all are equal before the law

4 of an official document :having been executed :dated

5 :immediately present in experience

See given defined for English-language learners

See given defined for kids

Examples of given in a Sentence

a quiet man not given to loud expressions of emotion
candidates for the quiz show must complete the qualifying test within a given amount of time

Recent Examples of given from the Web

That means that that for any given signal frequency, the antennas can be much smaller.

— matthew hutson, Science | AAAS, "Mini-antennas could power brain-computer interfaces, medical devices," 22 Aug. 2017
The report looked at five possible causes for the inventory shortage, including the sluggish pace of new home construction, the growing role of single-family-rental landlords and the share of older homeowners in a given market.

— patrick clark, Bloomberg.com, "The Best Way to Increase Housing Supply? Build More," 26 July 2017
Free side dishes also tend to soften the criticism most frequently lobbed at any given Korean barbecue joint—that the meat is too expensive.

— mike sula, Chicago Reader, "The K-pop is awesome at Daebak," 11 July 2017
On any given evening in New York City, there are hundreds—maybe thousands?—of events.

— christina pérez, Vogue, "Lily Kwong Used 13,000 Flowers to Transform New York’s High Line Into a Hanging Garden of Delights," 22 June 2017
Evening On any given evening, there's likely something happening at the Beverly Arts Center (2407 W. 111th St., 773-445-3838, www.beverlyartcenter.org).

— zak koeske, chicagotribune.com, "Beverly, Mount Greenwood and Morgan Park: A charming and close-knit community bloc," 14 June 2017
One of the most disarming aspects of Roberts' vocals always has been her tendency to shy away from the peak notes in any given melody line.

— howard reich, chicagotribune.com, "Judy Roberts swings back home to Chicago for Jazz Showcase residency," 9 June 2017
An index above 100 in a given market means an above-average ratio of homes will be sold there compared to the national average.

— myles ma, USA TODAY, "Buyers beware: 15 housing markets with the most movers," 3 June 2017
The new data collection effort might help prevent skewing of the data in areas where people drive from outside a given police jurisdiction, such as near malls, said Sara Baker, legislative and policy director for the ACLU of Missouri.

— shane sanderson, kansascity.com, "Report shows black drivers more likely to be pulled over in Missouri," 2 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of given

see ¹give

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

given Synonyms

Synonyms

accustomed, habituated, used, wont

Antonyms

unaccustomed, unused, unwonted

Related Words

apt, inclined, liable, likely, prone; hardened, inured; experienced, practiced (or practised), seasoned, veteran; addicted, hooked

Near Antonyms

unapt, unlikely; averse, disinclined, opposed; inexperienced, new, unseasoned; disaccustomed, weaned

given

noun

Definition of given

:something given; especially :something taken for granted :a basic condition or assumption

It is a given that we are in an age of relentless competition.

See given defined for English-language learners

Examples of given in a Sentence

In our system it is a given that all are equal before the law.
it's a given that television viewers are influenced by advertising, even consciously or subconsciously

Recent Examples of given from the Web

Social media is all a curated view, and good taste and judgment aren’t, let’s say, givens.

— carolyn hax, The Mercury News, "Carolyn Hax: Why won’t anyone tell her that her kid isn’t so special?," 17 May 2017
Social media is all a curated view, and good taste and judgment aren’t, let’s say, givens.

— carolyn hax, The Seattle Times, "Endless, effusive praise of grandson irks grandma," 17 May 2017
Social media is all a curated view, and good taste and judgment aren’t, let’s say, givens.

— carolyn hax, The Mercury News, "Carolyn Hax: Why won’t anyone tell her that her kid isn’t so special?," 17 May 2017
Social media is all a curated view, and good taste and judgment aren’t, let’s say, givens.

— carolyn hax, The Seattle Times, "Endless, effusive praise of grandson irks grandma," 17 May 2017
Social media is all a curated view, and good taste and judgment aren’t, let’s say, givens.

— carolyn hax, idahostatesman, "New mom can’t stop bragging on social media," 16 May 2017
Those are givens – magnets for homebuyers looking to raise families in a pleasant environment.

— theresa walker, Orange County Register, "Best of Orange County 2016: City to live in," 15 May 2017
At Hood by Air, balance and stability are not givens.

— New York Times, "Fashion Week Today: For Hood by Air, Pilgrimage on a Collision Course," 14 Feb. 2016

First Known Use of given

1879

given Synonyms

Synonyms

assumption, hypothetical, if, postulate, premise (also premiss), presumption, presupposition, supposition

given

preposition

Definition of given

:in view of :considering

given what she knew about others' lives, how could she complain about her own?
—Marilyn French

See given defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of given

1904

GIVEN Defined for English Language Learners

given

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adjective

Definition of given for English Language Learners

—used to refer to a particular time, place, etc., that has been, will be, or might be specified

given

noun

Definition of given for English Language Learners

: something that is regarded or accepted as true or real : a basic fact or assumption

GIVEN Defined for Kids

given

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adjective giv·en \ ˈgi-vən \

Definition of given for Students

1 :being likely to have or do something

They are given to quarreling.

2 :decided on beforehand

We meet at a given time.

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