define

[ dih-fahyn ]

verb (used with object)

, de·fined, de·fin·ing.

1. to state or set forth the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.):

   They disagreed on how to define “liberal.”

2. to explain or identify the nature or essential qualities of; describe:

   to define judicial functions.

3. to fix or lay down clearly and definitely; specify distinctly:

   to define one's responsibilities.

   Synonyms: enumerate, detail, describe, name, state

4. to determine or fix the boundaries or extent of:

   to define property with stakes.

5. to make clear the outline or form of:

   The roof was boldly defined against the sky.

verb (used without object)

, de·fined, de·fin·ing.

1. to set forth the meaning of a word, phrase, etc.; construct a definition.

define

/ dɪˈfaɪn /

verb

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

• deˈfinably, adverb
• deˈfinable, adjective
• deˈfiner, noun
• deˌfinaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• de·fina·ble adjective
• de·fina·bili·ty noun
• de·fina·bly adverb
• de·finement noun
• de·finer noun
• misde·fine verb (used with object) misdefined misdefining
• nonde·fina·bili·ty noun
• nonde·fina·ble adjective
• nonde·fina·bly adverb
• nonde·fined adjective
• nonde·finer noun
• prede·fine verb (used with object) predefined predefining
• rede·fine verb (used with object) redefined redefining
• self-de·fined adjective
• semi·de·fined adjective
• unde·fina·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of define¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English def(f)inen, from Anglo-French, Old French definer “to put an end to,” from Latin dēfīnīre ”to limit, define,“ equivalent to dē- “from, away from, out of” + fīnīre “to end”; de-, finish

Word History and Origins

Origin of define¹

C14: from Old French definer to determine, from Latin dēfīnīre to set bounds to, from fīnīre to finish

Example Sentences

Long before the great replacement theory became a dominant strain among mainstream conservatives — nearly 7 out of 10 Republicans have said the theory had merit — Tanton, while not using those words, began to define the term.

From Salon

Act, the political party that introduced the bill, argues there is a need to legally define the principles of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, which has been fundamental to race relations in New Zealand.

From BBC

Can you talk to me a bit about how you and Cedric Nicaise work together and how that partnership helps to define the culinary identity of The Noortwyck.

From Salon

The result was President Barack Obama, whose politics went onto define the Democratic Party for years to come.

From Salon

Judges have struggled even to define how copyright infringement principles apply to technology that doesn’t output exact copies of copyrighted works but “mimics” them — rather like how the beverage machine in Douglas Adams’ “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” delivered “a cupful of liquid that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• characterize
• construe
• decide
• delineate
• describe
• designate
• detail
• determine
• exemplify
• explain
• illustrate
• interpret
• prescribe
• represent
• specify
• spell out