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

• advance
• advancement
• breakthrough
• enhancement
• improvement

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

This human-machine collaboration involves an extensive back and forth, along with careful editing and refinement, a process that can take weeks. —Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

The bespectacled, bookish Bonhoeffer was a man of refinement whose natural reserve could be interpreted as arrogance, says Marsh, the biographer. —John Blake, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025

This has raised concerns about his readiness for the main roster, as while his overall appeal is undeniable, his technical wrestling skills may need further refinement. —Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025

Its current nonlinearity strength, while modest, can potentially be increased by a factor of ten or even one hundred through further engineering refinements, say Yanagimoto and colleagues. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025

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