refinement

noun

re·fine·ment | \ ri-ˈfīn-mənt

Definition of refinement

1 : the action or process of refining

2 : the quality or state of being refined : cultivation

3a : a refined feature or method

b : a highly refined distinction : subtlety

c : a contrivance or device intended to improve or perfect

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about refinement

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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

Timeless refinement has its place, but Kunis has a playful and down to earth side, too. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Mila Kunis’s Audrey Hepburn-Esque New Look Is Just Right," 3 Aug. 2018 For an exchange like Nasdaq, such refinement is essential to accurately order the millions of stock trades that are placed on their computer systems every second. — John Markoff, New York Times, "Time Split to the Nanosecond Is Precisely What Wall Street Wants," 29 June 2018 Pared down yet rich, with contrasting textures, Shladovsky's nine-piece collection marries of-the-moment rusticity with timeless refinement. — Elle Decor Staff, ELLE Decor, "Natural Wonders: Azadeh Shladovsky's Furniture Collection," 10 May 2012 The new Paperwhite, like the other Kindles before it, is the latest refinement of a formula that Amazon has been iterating on for more than half a decade now. — Chaim Gartenberg, The Verge, "Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) review: the new best-seller," 7 Nov. 2018 In Your Spirit: This month’s Moon cycle activates your zones of self-expression and self-refinement, and there’s a potent mixing of earth and fire energy available to you right now. — Bess Matassa, Teen Vogue, "Monthly Lovescopes September 2018," 1 Sep. 2018 The refinement of his considerable tools is still a work in progress. — Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, "Padre punch: Rookies Franchy Cordero, Christian Villanueva show off power," 3 May 2018 Other things that stuck in this big impression: far less casualness and far more of something in between, a tone that was imbued with refinement and sophistication—the real craftwork of luxury fashion—but one that was still approachable. — Vogue, "Vogue Runway’s Critics Weigh In on the Fall 2019 Menswear Collections—And the Seismic Shifts Changing the Business," 22 Jan. 2019 This refinement and precision requires a lighter knife with a sharper cutting edge. — Francine Maroukian, Popular Mechanics, "How To Buy Kitchen Knives Like a Pro," 24 Oct. 2018

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