define

verb

de·fine di-ˈfīn How to pronounce define (audio)

defined; defining

transitive verb

: to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of

whatever defines us as human

: to discover and set forth the meaning of (something, such as a word)

how the dictionary defines "grotesque"

computing : to create with established rules or parameters

define a window

define a procedure

: to fix or mark the limits of : demarcate

rigidly defined property lines

: to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline

the issues aren't too well defined

eyes defined by mascara

: characterize, distinguish

you define yourself by the choices you make

Denison Univ. Bull.

the moment that defined the campaign

intransitive verb

: to make a definition (see definition sense 1a)

definement

di-ˈfīn-mənt How to pronounce define (audio)

noun

definer

di-ˈfī-nər How to pronounce define (audio)

noun

Example Sentences

a term that is difficult to define The government study seeks to define urban poverty. Her book aims to define acceptable social behavior. She believes that success should be defined in terms of health and happiness. That fence defines the far edge of the property.

Recent Examples on the Web The game was restarted — twice — during what even the players struggle to define as errors by the officials or an outright attempt to cheat them.

Brian Mahoney, Baltimore Sun, 9 Sep. 2022 Among the dozens of photographs from the Fairchild archives on display are pictures spotlighting several musical luminaries who helped shape and define New York fashion over the decades.

Joe Lynch, Billboard, 9 Sep. 2022 Bolivia and Ecuador also define themselves as plurinational.

BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2022 Some define it as an intangible asset described as the soul of the company.

Danielle Abril, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Sep. 2022 For the sake of their study, the CDC researchers define long Covid as involving symptoms four or more weeks after a Covid-19 diagnosis.

Jen Christensen, CNN, 5 Aug. 2022 Some define it as two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth, no matter what other indicators—like a strong labor market—say about the economy.

Christine Mui, Fortune, 29 July 2022 Medical experts define miscarriage as a pregnancy that ends naturally before 20 weeks’ gestation.

New York Times, 17 July 2022 Marcel’s smallness and cuteness don’t define him, in other words.

Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 June 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diffinen, defynen, borrowed from Anglo-French definer, diffiner, borrowed (with conjugation change) from Medieval Latin dēfīnīre, diffīnīre (dif- by association with dif-, assimilated form of dis- dis-), going back to Latin dēfīnīre "to mark the limits of, determine, give an exact description of," from dē- de- + fīnīre "to mark out the boundaries of, limit" — more at finish entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

define

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

trace
outline
delineate
sketch
surround
circle
silhouette
line
trim
bound
round
frame
margin
edge
draw
fringe
rim
encircle
loop
ring
chart
diagram
hem
skirt
girth
girdle
map (out)
compass

as in to delimit

to mark the limits of the river defines the town on the south

Synonyms & Similar Words

delimit
demarcate
describe
circumscribe
limit
bound
govern
demark
determine
delineate
terminate
control
mark (off)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

characterize
describe
portray
represent
depict
identify
character
classify
specify
type
categorize
indicate
pigeonhole
distinguish
mark
individualize
particularize
name
color
stamp

as in to specify

to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly let me define the task so that there is no doubt in your minds about what needs to be done

Synonyms & Similar Words

specify
prescribe
dictate
direct
order
tell
arrange
lay down
assign
select
choose
instruct
manage
set
govern
require
control
decree
compel
force
constrain
conduct
lead
ordain
bid
enjoin
fix
coerce
settle
obligate
command
adjure
charge
oblige

单词	define
释义	define verb de·fine di-ˈfīn defined; defining transitive verb 1 a : to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of whatever defines us as human b : to discover and set forth the meaning of (something, such as a word) how the dictionary defines "grotesque" c computing : to create with established rules or parameters define a window define a procedure 2 a : to fix or mark the limits of : demarcate rigidly defined property lines b : to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline the issues aren't too well defined eyes defined by mascara 3 : characterize, distinguish you define yourself by the choices you make Denison Univ. Bull. the moment that defined the campaign intransitive verb : to make a definition (see definition sense 1a) definement di-ˈfīn-mənt noun definer di-ˈfī-nər noun Synonyms delineate outline silhouette sketch trace See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences a term that is difficult to define The government study seeks to define urban poverty. Her book aims to define acceptable social behavior. She believes that success should be defined in terms of health and happiness. That fence defines the far edge of the property. Recent Examples on the Web The game was restarted — twice — during what even the players struggle to define as errors by the officials or an outright attempt to cheat them. Brian Mahoney, Baltimore Sun, 9 Sep. 2022 Among the dozens of photographs from the Fairchild archives on display are pictures spotlighting several musical luminaries who helped shape and define New York fashion over the decades. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 9 Sep. 2022 Bolivia and Ecuador also define themselves as plurinational. BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2022 Some define it as an intangible asset described as the soul of the company. Danielle Abril, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Sep. 2022 For the sake of their study, the CDC researchers define long Covid as involving symptoms four or more weeks after a Covid-19 diagnosis. Jen Christensen, CNN, 5 Aug. 2022 Some define it as two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth, no matter what other indicators—like a strong labor market—say about the economy. Christine Mui, Fortune, 29 July 2022 Medical experts define miscarriage as a pregnancy that ends naturally before 20 weeks’ gestation. New York Times, 17 July 2022 Marcel’s smallness and cuteness don’t define him, in other words. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 June 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English diffinen, defynen, borrowed from Anglo-French definer, diffiner, borrowed (with conjugation change) from Medieval Latin dēfīnīre, diffīnīre (dif- by association with dif-, assimilated form of dis- dis-), going back to Latin dēfīnīre "to mark the limits of, determine, give an exact description of," from dē- de- + fīnīre "to mark out the boundaries of, limit" — more at finish entry 1 First Known Use 14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a Phrases Containing define broadly/loosely define narrowly define pre-define broadly/loosely define narrowly define pre-define Kids Definition define verb de·fine di-ˈfīn defined; defining 1 : to explain the meaning of define a word 2 : to make clear especially in outline Your responsibilities are defined in the handout. define verb 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 Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance trace outline delineate sketch surround circle silhouette line trim bound round frame margin edge draw fringe rim encircle loop ring chart diagram hem skirt girth girdle map (out) compass 2 as in to delimit to mark the limits of the river defines the town on the south Synonyms & Similar Words delimit demarcate describe circumscribe limit bound govern demark determine delineate terminate control mark (off) 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 Synonyms & Similar Words characterize describe portray represent depict identify character classify specify type categorize indicate pigeonhole distinguish mark individualize particularize name color stamp 4 as in to specify to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly let me define the task so that there is no doubt in your minds about what needs to be done Synonyms & Similar Words specify prescribe dictate direct order tell arrange lay down assign select choose instruct manage set govern require control decree compel force constrain conduct lead ordain bid enjoin fix coerce settle obligate command adjure charge oblige
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define

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing define

Kids Definition

verb

verb