Get the most trusted, up-to-date definitions from Merriam-Webster. Find word meaning, pronunciation, origin, synonyms, and more.
Looking for synonyms & antonyms instead? Browse the Thesaurus
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
Ditto the Linux Foundation, whose equally fresh definition isn’t exactly the same as the OSI’s, but still plainly demands information about training data, and the ability for anyone at all to reuse and improve the model.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
Despite visions of beach walks and pickleball that are hardwired into our idea of retirement, the actual definition of retirement is to withdraw and pull back.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
The test is: Give me the definitions of toile, tulle, tool, tuile, toyle, and toil.
—Mel Studach, Architectural Digest, 1 Nov. 2024
It’s especially noted for its goal of developing formal definitions for English words based on the ways that people actually use them in everyday speech.
—James Factora, Them, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for definition 
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.
David Meyer, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
Despite visions of beach walks and pickleball that are hardwired into our idea of retirement, the actual definition of retirement is to withdraw and pull back.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
The test is: Give me the definitions of toile, tulle, tool, tuile, toyle, and toil.
—Mel Studach, Architectural Digest, 1 Nov. 2024
It’s especially noted for its goal of developing formal definitions for English words based on the ways that people actually use them in everyday speech.
—James Factora, Them, 1 Nov. 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 21 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share