define

Definition of definenext
1
as in to trace
to draw or make apparent the outline of the glass skyscraper's sleek silhouette was strikingly defined by the setting sun to its west

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2
as in to describe
to mark the limits of the river defines the town on the south

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3
as in to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group a woman who is defined by her unswerving loyalty to her friends

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4

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 define Models like OpenAI's Sora and Tencent's Kling defined the standard of fluid motion and detail for video-generation models. Kshitij Dixit, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 The centerpiece of Powell’s legacy Importantly, Powell’s legacy will also be defined by his fight to maintain the Fed’s ability to set interest rates without political interference. Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 15 May 2026 The discipline and work ethic of her father and the reinvention into the labor market by her mother instilled in her an early awareness that success isn't defined by titles alone. Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 11 May 2026 There are few of the giant $50 million-plus action packages that once defined the Marché. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
Verb
  • Cases are now reported across multiple countries after passengers disembarked in Africa and Europe, prompting health officials to trace contacts globally.
    Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
  • The rise comes as Argentine authorities race to trace the footsteps of a couple who traveled extensively in the country and later died amid an outbreak of the virus on the cruise ship MV Hondius.
    Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • Maviglio described the ballot measure as a simple repeal of Proposition 14, and said he was inspired by the governor’s race.
    Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
  • Doctors there describe them like hotel rooms, designed with en-suite bathrooms, exercise equipment, food delivery and Wi-Fi for patients staying for long periods.
    Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • In a statement Sunday, airport CEO Phil Washington characterized the person who was killed as a trespasser.
    Dennis Romero, NBC news, 10 May 2026
  • These starburst regions are characterized by exceptionally high rates of star formation, making M77 a dynamic and evolving galaxy.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • In both places, records specified that there were no injuries in all but one case.
    Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026
  • The president did not specify which elements of Iran's proposal prompted his rejection.
    James LaPorta, CBS News, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • An in-depth look at strategy Four of the candidates submitted op-eds to our opinion team outlining their policies.
    Teagan Davidge, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
  • The America First Global Health Strategy outlines bilateral government-to-government compacts, co-investment requirements, and private-sector partnerships.
    Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Yet expectations for the summit’s outcomes are muted, with both leaders facing setbacks at home and abroad that may limit their room to maneuver.
    Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 13 May 2026
  • But the internal federal documents indicate the base's capacity to hold immigration detainees is limited to roughly 400 beds.
    Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • The show has a bootstrappy vibe in which individual grit and self-belief are portrayed as the keys to success.
    Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
  • But in a March 19 response to the plaintiffs’ demand letter, according to the AP's reporting, Leita Walker, an attorney for Artists Equity, said that the film does not intend to tell the true story of that incident or to portray real people.
    Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • The chiles delineate culinary borders.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
  • In this project by Goesling Group, the kitchen and living space are directly against each other, and different cabinet types help to delineate those spaces even if there’s not much wiggle room between the two.
    Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 11 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

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