delineation

noun

de·​lin·​ea·​tion di-ˌli-nē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce delineation (audio)
dē-
1
: the act of outlining or representing something with lines or words : the act of delineating
the delineation of a scene
… the delineation of the territories allotted to the seven tribes of Israel …Adam Nicholson
2
: something made by delineating
a photographic delineation of low lifeT. S. Eliot
delineative adjective

Examples of delineation in a Sentence

his simple but striking delineations of Dutch landscapes a finely wrought delineation of a young woman's first experience with romantic love
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.
Throughout most of the Terminator franchise, there’s a clear delineation between the dystopian future settings and the peaceful normalcy of the present day. Gavia Baker-Whitelaw, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024 In this delineation option, Pflugerville is included within this area. Isabela Ocampo Restrepo, Austin American-Statesman, 11 July 2024 Both lead performers are superb, especially in their skillful delineation of the ways in which their characters have changed or not in the five-year interval. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 Newcastle have not clarified the exact hierarchical delineations of the new-look structure, but Hodges will technically answer more directly to Bunce than Howe, which represents a change. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for delineation 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin dēlīneātiōn-, dēlīneātiō "description," from Latin dēlīneāre "to trace the outline of, delineate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of delineation was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near delineation

Cite this Entry

“Delineation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delineation. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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