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definition
noun
def·i·ni·tion
ˌde-fə-ˈni-shən 
1
a
: a statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol
dictionary definitions
b
: a statement expressing the essential nature of something
c
: a product of defining
2
: the action or process of stating the meaning of a word or word group
3
a
: the action or the power of describing, explaining, or making definite and clear
the definition of a telescope
her comic genius is beyond definition
b(1)
: clarity of visual presentation : distinctness of outline or detail
improve the definition of an image
(2)
: clarity especially of musical sound in reproduction
c
: sharp demarcation of outlines or limits
a jacket with distinct waist definition
4
: an act of determining
specifically
: the formal proclamation of a Roman Catholic dogma
Synonyms
Examples of definition in a Sentence
For the last eight years or so, I've been watching the evolution of bikes made for women. At the beginning of that time, there were a small number of women's bikes available, most offered with low-end, sometimes no-name, spec, as if by definition all women riders were beginners.
—
Christine Bucher, Bicycling, March 2008
Not only is Ellen Byrne a chocolatier, but she takes the definition of artisan to a higher level.
—Amy Johansson, Chocolatier, February/March 2006
One kind of poverty is that of the imagination—the inability to envision a future truly different from the present. Jasmine had long judged people based on whether or not they gave her food and clothing, but, as she watched Carolyn and Gus and other families, she found herself mulling different gauges of worth. She'd been working lately on a definition of love.
—Katherine Boo, New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2005
Ideology thus provides definition of both systemic reality and values: it provides a set of preconceptions of what is and of what ought to be.
—Warren J. Samuels, Modern Economic Thought, (1977) 1993
What is the legal definition of a corporation?
A week of fishing is my definition of a vacation.
a monitor with good definition and vibrant colors
Christine Bucher, Bicycling, March 2008
Not only is Ellen Byrne a chocolatier, but she takes the definition of artisan to a higher level.
—Amy Johansson, Chocolatier, February/March 2006
One kind of poverty is that of the imagination—the inability to envision a future truly different from the present. Jasmine had long judged people based on whether or not they gave her food and clothing, but, as she watched Carolyn and Gus and other families, she found herself mulling different gauges of worth. She'd been working lately on a definition of love.
—Katherine Boo, New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2005
Ideology thus provides definition of both systemic reality and values: it provides a set of preconceptions of what is and of what ought to be.
—Warren J. Samuels, Modern Economic Thought, (1977) 1993
What is the legal definition of a corporation?
A week of fishing is my definition of a vacation.
a monitor with good definition and vibrant colors
Recent Examples on the Web
The Madison, Wisconsin shooting, which left two dead as of Tuesday, would not qualify as a mass killing under the database's definition.
—Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Lastly, definitions of the terms should be included where appropriate.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
While the autism diagnosis has been available for at least 80 years, the definition gradually expanded to include milder cases, which are more common.
—Michelle L. Price and Adriana Gomez Licon, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
Now that acceptance has come, some physicists are exploring ways to bake subjectivity into mathematical definitions of entropy.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for definition 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Lastly, definitions of the terms should be included where appropriate.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
While the autism diagnosis has been available for at least 80 years, the definition gradually expanded to include milder cases, which are more common.
—Michelle L. Price and Adriana Gomez Licon, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
Now that acceptance has come, some physicists are exploring ways to bake subjectivity into mathematical definitions of entropy.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for definition
Dictionary Entries Near definition
Cite this Entry
“Definition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/definition. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
definition
noun
def·i·ni·tion
ˌdef-ə-ˈnish-ən
1
: an act of determining or settling the limits
2
a
: a statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol
b
: the action or process of defining
3
a
: the action or the power of making definite and clear
b
Medical Definition
definition
noun
def·i·ni·tion
ˌdef-ə-ˈnish-ən
: the action or the power of making definite and clear
the definition of a microscope lens
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