1
: extended treatment of or attention to particular items
explaining without going into detail
giving careful attention to detail
2
: a part of a whole: such as
a
: a small and subordinate part : particular
planned the wedding down to the smallest detail
The job requires a good/keen/fine eye for detail [=the ability to notice small but important things that others might overlook]
b(1)
: a particular fact or piece of information about something or someone
You left out one detail: what color is your new car?
(2)
: information about someone or something that is often very specific or precise
The novel is full of historical details.
c
: a portion considered independently of the parts considered together
discussing the details of the building's columns
also
: a reproduction of a small part of a work of art
studied a detail of the painting's lower left corner
d
: the small elements that collectively constitute a work of art
admire the great detail of his work
e
photography
: the small elements of an image corresponding to those of the subject
strong lighting to achieve clarity of detail
3
a
: selection of a person or group for a particular task (as in military service)
b(1)
: the person or group selected
a member of a security detail
police details at the parade
(2)
: the task to be performed
were assigned to kitchen detail
detailed; detailing; details
1
: to report minutely and distinctly : to report with close attention to small elements : specify
detailed their grievances
wrote a letter detailing her vacation
2
: to assign to a particular task
was detailed to another unit during maneuvers
3
: to furnish with the smaller elements of design and finish
detailed the dress with embroidery
4
: to clean and refurbish (a vehicle) very thoroughly and meticulously
detail a car
: to make detail drawings
detailer
noun
Examples of detail in a Sentence
Noun
Every detail of the wedding was carefully planned.
They designed every detail of the house.
the wooden box's fine carved detail
We admired the detail of the artist's work.
The job requires attention to detail.
The article provides further details.
You left out an important detail about their new baby: is it a girl or boy?
The novel is full of historical details.
The book includes a wealth of detail on living conditions aboard ships at that time.
The novel is full of historical detail.
Verb
The book details the series of events that led to the tragedy.
She wrote a letter detailing her complaints.
The Army has detailed him to investigate the complaints.
Recent Examples on the Web
Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Based on their details, the champion can defend this title anywhere in the world.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
During a July City Commission meeting, Commissioner Richard Lara, who received at least one of the surveys but did not respond to it, summarized the allegations detailed in the blog posts.
—Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detail
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Making room for levity is, then, a way of admitting the human—not through the granular and intimate detail that lends Ferrante’s novels their power but through a broader concession to nature.
—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Based on their details, the champion can defend this title anywhere in the world.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
Earlier in the clip, Van Ness detailed his decision to begin using a GLP-1 medication.
—Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
During a July City Commission meeting, Commissioner Richard Lara, who received at least one of the surveys but did not respond to it, summarized the allegations detailed in the blog posts.
—Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detail
Cite this Entry
“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detail. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
detail
1 of 2 noun
de·tail
di-ˈtā(ə)l 
ˈdē-ˌtāl
ˈdē-ˌtāl
1
a
: a dealing with something item by item
go into detail about an event
b
: a small part or feature : item
the details of a story
2
a
: selection (as of a group of soldiers) for some special service
b
: a soldier or group of soldiers appointed for special duty
detail
2 of 2 verb1
: to report in detail : specify
detailed their complaints
2
: to assign to a task
detailer
noun
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