given

adjective

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giv·en | \ ˈgi-vən

Definition of given

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : particular, specified at a given time

b : assumed as actual or hypothetical : granted given that all are equal before the law

2 : prone, disposed given to swearing

3 : presented as a gift : bestowed without compensation

4 of an official document : having been executed : dated

5 : immediately present in experience

given

noun

Definition of given (Entry 2 of 3)

: 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.

given

preposition

Definition of given (Entry 3 of 3)

: in view of : considering Given what she knew about others' lives, how could she complain about her own?— Marilyn French

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing given Learn More About given

Examples of given in a Sentence

Adjective 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 Noun 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 on the Web: Adjective At any given moment, a flotilla of seaborne vessels is carrying crude oil from one point to another around the globe. — Michael E. Webber, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2022 At any given moment, upward of 100 crack MPA investigators are on the hunt of pirates — not unlike the king’s sailors of olden days, ready to do battle. — Bob Verini, Variety, 9 Mar. 2022 The most important thing was for an actor to know what their character wanted in any given moment: Everything else would flow from that. — Evan Kindley, The New Republic, 31 Jan. 2022 Dissenting and concurring opinions can also signal a justice's thinking on a given issue to astute lawyers who may craft future challenges to address that approach. — John Fritze, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2022 At any given moment, well over 100,000 people in the United States with severe organ disease languish on waiting lists for transplants. — Jan Dutkiewicz, The New Republic, 20 Jan. 2022 There is, at any given moment, someone on Twitch playing Tetris before a live audience. — New York Times, 28 Dec. 2021 There were also severe delays in processing emails from people requesting help, with thousands left unread at any given moment at the peak of the withdrawal between Aug. 21 and 25, Marshall said in evidence published Tuesday. — NBC News, 8 Dec. 2021 The report did not specify which agencies took any given view. — Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun That had coach James Borrego stressing that there would be no givens with his lineups going forward. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, 30 Nov. 2019 Cassidy has David Krejci, Jake DeBrusk, and Coyle as his three givens on his second and third lines. — BostonGlobe.com, 12 Oct. 2019 And though both are givens in fashion drops around their respective season, corduroy still hasn't totally shed its nostalgic veneer. — Ana Colón, Glamour, 22 Sep. 2018 Getty There are a few givens in the life of a professional tennis player: constant training, a calorie-pinching diet, and global travel for 11 months out of the year. — Jeryl Lippe, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2018 Of that group, Friedrich and Cosart are far from givens to return – at least on major league deals. — Jeff Sanders, sandiegouniontribune.com, 11 Oct. 2017 To Jones, there are two givens, his enduring love for South Florida, with an upcoming return to his Southwest Ranches home in summer, and an abiding respect for the Heat's culture. — Ira Winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, 14 July 2018 Tennessee's defense will be one of the great givens of the 2018-19 season. — Patrick Stevens, chicagotribune.com, 3 Apr. 2018 Although people are born with some biological givens, the brain has many blank pages. — Rob Verger, Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2014 See More

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.