definition

noun

ˌde-fə-ˈni-shən How to pronounce definition (audio)
Definition of definitionnext
as in description
a vivid representation in words of someone or something he gave us his definition of the perfect romantic evening on the town

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of definition The definition excludes organizations that are an institutional part of a foreign government or wholly operated under a foreign government's direction. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Rooms Perhaps the very definition of beach chic, the 53 guest rooms are joyful and bright, with natural textures, pops of color, local art, and plenty of windows. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026 There is no single definition of what AI literacy means, or how it should be taught. — ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026 One of the common themes was the definition of operational needs — a crucial definition to the union’s RTO argument. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for definition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for definition
  1. description
  2. portrait
  3. depiction
  4. portrayal
Noun
  • Wildlife officers found a female bear in the area matching the description and euthanized her, as per CPW policy.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • These form the spine of the book, interwoven with descriptions of swims of varying lengths in a very wide range of locales—rivers, waterfalls, ponds, different coves and beaches, each different and beautifully captured for the reader.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of description
Noun
  • Kristinka Lazar, for example, used the time as an artistic residency to create a collection of paintings called The Gift of Being Seen, featuring 45 portraits of local villagers.
    — Liz Provencher, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Watermelon was founded in 2024 by brothers Badie and Hamza Ali to present more complex portraits of Palestinians and Arabs.
    — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of portrait
Noun
  • Attraction is the point—the promise of fulfillment, rather than its depiction, is the reward.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • For her, the novel’s depiction of Haitian life in Miami is immediately recognizable.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of depiction
Noun
  • Did her grandmother, who comes across as stoic and pragmatic in many ways, influence her portrayal of the similarly-minded Tova?
    — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Vogel has previously disputed Panettiere's portrayal of their relationship.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of portrayal

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definiteness
definition
definitions
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Cite this Entry

“Definition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/definition. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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