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

Just next door, sister restaurant Café Yaya reflects similar refinement that spans the entire day. — Nicole Schnitzler, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Made up of nearly 20 clinicians and EHR superusers, the CoLab brings end user feedback into the evaluation, testing, and refinement of new AI capabilities. — Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

For creators who want additional control, Hi3D also provides tools for manual color adjustment, painting refinement, and detailed optimization through its Studio environment. — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

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