description
noun
de·scrip·tion di-ˈskrip-shən 
1
a
: an act of describing
specifically : discourse intended to give a mental image of something experienced
beautiful beyond description
gave an accurate description of what he saw
b
: a statement or account giving the characteristics of someone or something : a descriptive statement or account
The review was little more than a description of the film's plot.
2
: kind or character especially as determined by salient (see salient entry 1 sense 3b) features
someone fitting the suspect's description
had toys of every description
opposed to any tax of so radical a description
Synonyms
- definition
- delineation
- depiction
- picture
- portrait
- portraiture
- portrayal
- rendering
- sketch
- vignette
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Reporters called the scene “a disaster area,” and I think that was an accurate description. I applied for the position after reading the job description. a writer with a gift of description
Recent Examples on the Web The system also works in reverse — if someone goes missing, their picture and description are immediately available to responding law enforcement. 
Lacey Latch, The Arizona Republic, 10 Sep. 2022 An Adobe report, The Future of Time, found that 66% of Generation Z workers would switch jobs for more control over their work schedule, assuming the salary and job description remained the same. Chris Morris, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2022 This person provided the juror's full name and physical description, and gave the defense his name and phone number. Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 8 Sep. 2022 In order to be considered, submit your house (or the home of a friend or neighbor) by Oct. 21 by emailing the home address, a short description and high-quality photos to pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 As part of its inclusion focus, the show’s accessibility features will include Japanese Sign, International Sign, real-time subtitles, audio description and personnel on stand-by at the venue for all guests needing assistance. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 7 Sep. 2022 Despite an enthusiastic description of the animals and their values bidders seemingly were not present. San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 The call for interns deserves as much attention as any other job post and description as interns can become long-term employees. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, which protects people from unreasonable searches, requires a description of the place to be searched and the items expected to be seized. Amy Nakamura, USA TODAY, 23 Aug. 2022 See More
Lacey Latch, The Arizona Republic, 10 Sep. 2022 An Adobe report, The Future of Time, found that 66% of Generation Z workers would switch jobs for more control over their work schedule, assuming the salary and job description remained the same. Chris Morris, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2022 This person provided the juror's full name and physical description, and gave the defense his name and phone number. Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 8 Sep. 2022 In order to be considered, submit your house (or the home of a friend or neighbor) by Oct. 21 by emailing the home address, a short description and high-quality photos to pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 As part of its inclusion focus, the show’s accessibility features will include Japanese Sign, International Sign, real-time subtitles, audio description and personnel on stand-by at the venue for all guests needing assistance. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 7 Sep. 2022 Despite an enthusiastic description of the animals and their values bidders seemingly were not present. San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 The call for interns deserves as much attention as any other job post and description as interns can become long-term employees. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, which protects people from unreasonable searches, requires a description of the place to be searched and the items expected to be seized. Amy Nakamura, USA TODAY, 23 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English descripcioun, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin description-, descriptio, from describere — see describe
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing description
Kids Definition
description
noun
de·scrip·tion di-ˈskrip-shən
1
: a written or spoken statement about something that enables a reader or listener to picture it I recognized the place from your description of it.
2
: sort entry 1 sense 1, kind
People of every description were there.
Legal Definition
description
noun
de·scrip·tion
: a representation in words of the nature and characteristics of a thing: as
a
: a specification of the boundaries of a piece of land (as for a deed)
b
: an explanation of an invention in a patent application or printed publication
descriptions
noun
1
as in depictions
a vivid representation in words of someone or something we immediately recognized the man from our cousin's description of him Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- depictions
- pictures
- portrayals
- portraits
- definitions
- sketches
- vignettes
- renderings
- tales
- accounts
- illustrations
- anecdotes
- delineations
- explanations
- stories
- reports
- narratives
- portraitures
- chronicles
- exemplifications
- explications
- demonstrations
- yarns
- elucidations
- clarifications
- expositions
- anecdota
2
as in types
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common fixes small appliances and other things of that description Synonyms & Similar Words
- types
- kinds
- sorts
- genres
- stripes
- varieties
- natures
- breeds
- species
- manners
- categories
- classes
- models
- feathers
- likes
- orders
- kidneys
- persuasions
- strains
- samples
- ilks
- groupings
- specimens
- groups
- brackets
- ranks
- families
- sets
- grades
- suites
- divisions
- lots
- bunches