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单词 define
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define

(dɪfaɪn)
Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense defines, present participle defining, past tense, past participle defined
1. verb
If you define something, you show, describe, or state clearly what it is and what its limits are, or what it is like.
We were unable to define what exactly was wrong with him. [VERB wh]
He was asked to define his concept of cool. [VERB noun]
defined adjective [usually adverb ADJECTIVE]
...a party with a clearly defined programme and strict rules of membership.
2. verb
If you define a word or expression, you explain its meaning, for example in a dictionary.
I don't know how to define intelligence, but I can recognize it when I see it. [VERB noun]
Collins English Dictionary defines a workaholic as 'a person obsessively addictedto work'. [VERB noun + as]
More Synonyms of define

define in British English

(dɪˈfaɪn)
verb (transitive)
1. 
to state precisely the meaning of (words, terms, etc)
2. 
to describe the nature, properties, or essential qualities of
3. 
to determine the boundary or extent of
4. (often passive)
to delineate the form or outline of
the shape of the tree was clearly defined by the light behind it
5. 
to fix with precision; specify
Derived forms
definable (deˈfinable)
adjective
definability (deˌfinaˈbility)
noun
definably (deˈfinably)
adverb
definer (deˈfiner)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French definer to determine, from Latin dēfīnīre to set bounds to, from fīnīre to finish

define in American English

(diˈfaɪn; dɪˈfaɪn)
verb transitiveWord forms: deˈfined or deˈfining
1. 
a. 
to determine or set down the boundaries of
b. 
to trace the precise outlines of; delineate
2. 
to determine or state the extent and nature of; describe exactly
define your duties
3. 
a. 
to give the distinguishing characteristics of
b. 
to constitute the distinction of; differentiate
reason defines man
4. 
to state the meaning or meanings of (as a word)
verb intransitive
5. 
to prepare definitions, as of words
Derived forms
definable (deˈfinable)
adjective
definer (deˈfiner)
noun
Word origin
ME diffinen < OFr definer & ML diffinire, both < L definire, to limit, define < de-, from + finire, to set a limit to, bound: see finish

Examples of 'define' in a sentence
define

Because it may be that if you can more clearly define specific roles, the answer becomes apparent as to who can take that role.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
While reducing costs in today's financial environment is appealing, you must clearly define legal and practical matters.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We will now define this concept more formally.
Mishkin, Frederic S. Financial Markets, Institutions and Money (1995)
What is necessary is a clearly defined objective.
Chaitow, Leon The Beat Fatigue Workbook - how to identify the causes (1988)
These features are sufficient and necessary to define the complex concept of a triangle.
Pressley, Michael & McCormick, Christine Advanced Educational Psychology For Educators, Researchers and Policymakers, (1995)
Rather it became a closely defined concept involving corps artillery as well as air support.
McInnes, Colin NATO's Changing Strategic Agenda (1990)
There are many examples in which clearly defined property rights improve the operation of the price system.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
Offences had to be clearly defined by law and be both accessible and foreseeable.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Ministry concepts must clearly define needs and the specific groups of people who have those needs.
Christianity Today (2000)
Now each has a clearly defined role.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But it is one thing to define a concept and another to really get it.
Geoffrey A. Moore LIVING ON THE FAULT LINE, REVISED EDITION (2002)
For a goal to be achievable it must be realistic and it must be clearly defined.
Harris, Jean Everything You Need to Know for Success in Business (1990)
Without defined concepts of energy and entropy you cannot measure the difficulty or ease of changing the world.
Oliver Morton Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet (2007)
The question of the competence of the local Church had not been clearly defined.
Hebblethwaite, Peter Paul VI - The First Modern Pope (1993)
First, can the concept be precisely defined?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Now in its ninth edition, it has no clearly defined core.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Don't define the concept too closely.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Better still, his new venture had a clearly defined aesthetic.
John Harris THE LAST PARTY: Britpop, Blair and the demise of English rock (2003)
In many cases, sociological concepts are defined in such a way that they can be measured as well.
Appelbaum, Richard P. Sociology (1995)
This requires deeper thought and harder work than when the different roles of husbands and wives were so clearly defined by law and social custom.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Unless relationships are clearly defined and behaviours challenged, no amount of structural change will protect the autonomy of frontline services.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Once the sociologist has defined a concept, the next step is to figure out how to observe it in the world.
Appelbaum, Richard P. Sociology (1995)
The dictionary defines nostalgia as 'a sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past '.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)

In other languages
define

British English: define /dɪˈfaɪn/ VERB
If you define something, you say exactly what it is or exactly what it means.
The government defines a household as `a group of people who live in the same house'.
  • American English: define
  • Arabic: يُحَدِّدُ
  • Brazilian Portuguese: definir
  • Chinese: 解释
  • Croatian: definirati
  • Czech: stanovit
  • Danish: definere
  • Dutch: definiëren
  • European Spanish: definir
  • Finnish: määritellä
  • French: définir
  • German: definieren
  • Greek: καθορίζω
  • Italian: definire
  • Japanese: 定義する
  • Korean: 정의하다
  • Norwegian: definere
  • Polish: zdefiniować
  • European Portuguese: definir
  • Romanian: a defini
  • Russian: определять
  • Latin American Spanish: definir
  • Swedish: definiera
  • Thai: นิยาม
  • Turkish: tanımlamak
  • Ukrainian: визначати
  • Vietnamese: định nghĩa

Chinese translation of 'define'

define

(dɪˈfaɪn)

vt

  1. [limits, boundaries, role] 限定 (xiàndìng)
  2. [expression, word] 解释(釋) (jiěshì)
1 (verb) 
Definition
to show clearly the outline of
Armed forces were deployed to define military zones.
Synonyms
mark out
outline
The building was a beautiful sight, outlined against the starry sky.
limit
He limited payments on the country's foreign debt.
bound
Our lives are bounded by work, family and television.
delineate
a settlement to delineate the border
circumscribe
The monarch's powers are circumscribed by Parliament.
demarcate
The police demarcated the city into eighteen geographical divisions.
delimit
This is not meant to delimit what approaches social researchers can adopt.
2 (verb) 
Definition
to describe the nature of
How exactly do you define reasonable behaviour?
Synonyms
describe
Even his allies describe him as forceful, aggressive and determined.
interpret
The judge has to interpret the law as it's being passed.
characterize
explain
He explained the process to us in simple terms.
spell out
expound
Schmidt continued to expound his theories on economics.
put into words
give the meaning of
3 (verb) 
Definition
to fix with precision
The Court must define the limits of its authority.
Synonyms
establish
He has established himself as a pivotal figure in US politics.
decide
The goal that decided the match came just before half-time.
detail
The report detailed the changes that would be implemented.
determine
The people have a right to determine their own future.
fix
He's fixed a time when I can see him.
specify
He has not specified what action he would like them to take.
designate
I live in Exmoor, which is designated as a national park.
stipulate
International rules stipulate the number of foreign entrants.

Additional synonyms

in the sense of bound
Definition
to place restrictions on
Our lives are bounded by work, family and television.
Synonyms
limit,
fix,
define,
restrict,
confine,
restrain,
circumscribe,
demarcate,
delimit
in the sense of circumscribe
Definition
to limit or restrict within certain boundaries
The monarch's powers are circumscribed by Parliament.
Synonyms
restrict,
limit,
define,
confine,
restrain,
delineate,
hem in,
demarcate,
delimit,
straiten
in the sense of decide
Definition
to influence the outcome of (a contest) decisively
The goal that decided the match came just before half-time.
Synonyms
settle,
determine,
conclude,
resolve

Synonyms of 'define'

define

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更新时间：2025/2/3 13:51:54