define

verb

de·​fine di-ˈfīn 

defined; defining

transitive verb

1

a

: to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of

whatever defines us as human

b

: to discover and set forth the meaning of (something, such as a word)

how the dictionary defines "grotesque"

c

computing : to create with established rules or parameters

define a window

define a procedure

2

a

: to fix or mark the limits of : demarcate

rigidly defined property lines

b

: to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline

the issues aren't too well defined

eyes defined by mascara

3

: characterize, distinguish

you define yourself by the choices you make

—Denison Univ. Bull.

the moment that defined the campaign

intransitive verb

: to make a definition (see definition sense 1a)

definement

di-ˈfīn-mənt 

noun

definer

di-ˈfī-nər 

noun

Synonyms

• delineate
• outline
• silhouette
• sketch
• trace

Examples of define in a Sentence

a term that is difficult to define

The government study seeks to define urban poverty.

Her book aims to define acceptable social behavior.

She believes that success should be defined in terms of health and happiness.

That fence defines the far edge of the property.

Recent Examples on the Web

The document that largely defined American foreign policy through the Cold War years was written anonymously by a prickly and melancholic Midwesterner who spent much of the rest of his life disavowing the repercussions of his work. —Richard Babcock, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2024

The giveaways are found not just in the various overgrown buildings and streets seen in the film, but in the specificity of one shot that features the remnants of the parabolic arches that define the center of Los Angeles International Airport. —Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 11 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diffinen, defynen, borrowed from Anglo-French definer, diffiner, borrowed (with conjugation change) from Medieval Latin dēfīnīre, diffīnīre (dif- by association with dif-, assimilated form of dis- dis-), going back to Latin dēfīnīre "to mark the limits of, determine, give an exact description of," from dē- de- + fīnīre "to mark out the boundaries of, limit" — more at finish entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing define

• broadly/loosely define
• narrowly define
• pre-define

Kids Definition

define

verb

de·​fine di-ˈfīn 

defined; defining

1

a

: to determine the essential qualities of

define the idea of loyalty

define a circle

b

: to set forth the meaning of

define a word

c

: to specify (as a programming task) for a computer to use

define a procedure

2

a

: to fix or mark the limits of

the boundary was clearly defined

b

: to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline

the tree was well defined against the sky

your argument is not well defined

definable

-ˈfī-nə-bəl

adjective

definer noun

Etymology

Middle English definen "to define, mark the limits of," Latin definire (same meaning), from Latin de- "from, away" and finire "to limit," from finis "end, limit" — related to final, finish, infinity