definition

[ def-uh-nish-uhn ]

noun

1. the act of defining, or of making something definite, distinct, or clear:

   We need a better definition of her responsibilities.

2. the formal statement of the meaning or significance of a word, phrase, idiom, etc., as found in dictionaries. An online dictionary resource, such as Dictionary.com, can give users direct, immediate access to the definitions of a term, allowing them to compare definitions from various dictionaries and stay up to date with an ever-expanding vocabulary.
3. the condition of being definite, distinct, or clearly outlined:

   His biceps have great muscle definition.

4. Optics. sharpness of the image formed by an optical system.
5. Radio and Television. the accuracy of sound or picture reproduction.

definition

/ ˌdɛfɪˈnɪʃən /

noun

1. a formal and concise statement of the meaning of a word, phrase, etc
2. the act of defining a word, phrase, etc
3. specification of the essential properties of something, or of the criteria which uniquely identify it
4. the act of making clear or definite
5. the state or condition of being clearly defined or definite
6. a measure of the clarity of an optical, photographic, or television image as characterized by its sharpness and contrast

Derived Forms

• ˌdefiˈnitional, adjective

Other Words From

• def·i·ni·tion·al adjective
• def·i·ni·tion·al·ly adverb
• pre·def·i·ni·tion noun
• re·def·i·ni·tion noun
• self-def·i·ni·tion noun
• sub·def·i·ni·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of definition¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English diffinicioun, from Old French diffinition, from Latin dēfīnītiōn- (stem of dēfīnītiō ), equivalent to dēfīnīt(us) ( definite ) + -iōn- noun suffix ( -ion )

Example Sentences

This definition not only ignores cerebral palsy as a lifelong condition but contributes to a lopsided research focus directed only at pediatric care and not care into adulthood and across the lifespan, experts say.

From Science Daily

The science of net zero, developed over 15 years ago,* does not include these natural carbon sinks in the definition of net human-induced CO2 emissions.

From Science Daily

Only 81 out of the 100 survey respondents provided a definition, perhaps due to the challenge of verbalizing a working description.

From Science Daily

As with the finest box sets, the production team has rendered the original contents with considerable fidelity, affording the recordings with greater definition while being assiduously careful about maintaining the artist’s five-decade-old vision.

From Salon

Four out of the five experts we spoke to agreed the weapons we purchased appeared to meet the legal definition of a banned knife.

From BBC

Related Words

• answer
• explanation
• interpretation
• rationale
• solution
• translation