delineated

adjective

de·​lin·​eat·​ed di-ˈli-nē-ˌā-təd How to pronounce delineated (audio)
dē-
1
a
: having or forming clear edges or boundaries
Deserts are wildly heterogeneous, composed of numerous, disparate, sharply delineated microenvironments.Bil Gilbert
These tumors tend to be invasive and extend beyond delineated margins.Dennis P. O'Brien and Joan R. Coates
b
: marked with drawn or painted lines
delineated bike lanes
the delineated areas of the map
2
: described or portrayed with accuracy or in detail
… the military, with its clearly delineated roles, ranks, chains of command, and reservations of authority.Eric J. McNulty

Examples of delineated in a Sentence

the finely delineated characters of the novel will seem real to the reader
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
City budget officials have provided far less than was asked for — in response to several carefully delineated questions — and none of it has proved very useful, Beale told me. David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2024 Trump plans on using that delineated power to enact sweeping tariffs, with or without congressional approval. Avery Lotz, Axios, 28 Sep. 2024 In practice, that can include changes such as delineated bike lanes, curb extensions and crosswalks. Nadia Scharf, The Indianapolis Star, 10 June 2024 Their values are expressed on their delineated part of the property. Hazlitt, 29 May 2024 Wines are aged in 80 large wooden casks, each holding vino from a single delineated plot of land. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024 Ultimately, the characters’ motivations, like their titular instinct, are weakly delineated, but viewers are well-advised not to worry their pretty little heads about any of that and just concentrate on the pantsuits. Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2024 Moraga’s financing plan would be reasonable if there was a clear spending plan for the money with delineated priorities. East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024 The ironing board’s cover has three clearly delineated zones but is smooth throughout. Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of delineated was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near delineated

Cite this Entry

“Delineated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delineated. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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