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

单词	definer
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. definer noun as in lexicographer Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance lexicographer editor linguist scribbler autobiographer biographer writer memoirist novelist storyteller stylist ghostwriter hagiographer fictionist pen cowriter fictioneer hatchet man auteur wordsmith memorialist hack coauthor belletrist litterateur romancer author wordmonger fabulist littérateur belle-lettrist coscenarist penman scribe scrivener Antonyms & Near Antonyms nonauthor
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define

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing define

Kids Definition

verb

noun