A definition that describes something in terms of its properties, in order to distinguish it from other things, but without describing its underlying structure or ‘essence’.
Example sentencesExamples
One can hope to agree on at least a nominal definition of religion but not of Christianity.
A definition of emotion is a nominal definition.
Definition of nominal definition in US English:
nominal definition
noun
Logic
A definition that describes something in terms of its properties, in order to distinguish it from other things, but without describing its underlying structure or essence.
Example sentencesExamples
One can hope to agree on at least a nominal definition of religion but not of Christianity.