description

[ dih-skrip-shuhn ]

noun

1. a statement, picture in words, or account that describes; descriptive representation.
2. the act or method of describing.
3. sort; kind; variety:

   dogs of every description.

   Synonyms: ilk, condition, character, nature, species

4. Geometry. the act or process of describing a figure.

description

/ dɪˈskrɪpʃən /

noun

1. a statement or account that describes; representation in words
2. the act, process, or technique of describing
3. sort, kind, or variety

   reptiles of every description

4. geometry the act of drawing a line or figure, such as an arc
5. philosophy a noun phrase containing a predicate that may replace a name as the subject of a sentence

Other Words From

• prede·scription noun
• rede·scription noun
• self-de·scription noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of description¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English descripcioun, from Latin dēscrīptiōn-, stem of dēscrīptiō, from dēscrīpt(us) “described” (past participle of dēscrībere “to copy, draw, transcribe”; describe ) + -iō -ion

Idioms and Phrases

see beggar description .

Example Sentences

Some warnings told recipients to "take action immediately" but also included description text that referred to it being a test warning.

From BBC

Indeed, the researchers approached the challenge through experiments, computer modeling, and geometrical description.

From Science Daily

In her letter, Ms Allen said foxes had “unearned reputations” as pests and this was partly due to derogatory descriptions of them.

From BBC

Pidgeon declined to provide a physical description of the person with Kobayashi because she doesn’t want to hinder the police investigation.

From Los Angeles Times

Shelton’s team has since pulled down a description of Waterman100 from a web page for the club, citing an “overflow of submissions” and a plan “to make small language edits.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• characterization
• confession
• definition
• depiction
• detail
• explanation
• information
• narration
• narrative
• picture
• portrayal
• report
• sketch
• statement
• story
• summary
• tale
• version