refinement

noun

re·​fine·​ment ri-ˈfīn-mənt 

1

: the action or process of refining

2

: the quality or state of being refined : cultivation

3

a

: a refined feature or method

b

: a highly refined distinction : subtlety

c

: a contrivance or device intended to improve or perfect

Synonyms of refinement

• improvement
• advance
• advancement

Examples of refinement in a Sentence

the recent refinements in this area of medical technology

had a sense of refinement that her small hometown couldn't satisfy, so she moved to New York City to be closer to great museums and concert halls

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of those big transformations, the focus is moving toward refinement. — Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026

Final design and engineering refinements for the Oceanside project are expected to continue through 2027. — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Aston Martin says the changes are designed to improve response, precision and control without sacrificing the refinement required for long-distance road driving. — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Google says refinements to the Pixel Watch 5's GPS improve performance when tracking your location in big cities with skyscrapers. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for refinement

• misalignment
• nonalignment
• realignment
• reassignment
• reconsignment
• alignment
• alinement
• assignment
• confinement
• consignment

Kids Definition

refinement

noun

re·​fine·​ment ri-ˈfīn-mənt 

1

: the action or process of refining

2

: the state of being refined : cultivation

3

a

: something that has been refined

refinements in dress and behavior

b

: something intended to improve or refine