description

noun

de·​scrip·​tion di-ˈskrip-shən 

1

a

: an act of describing

specifically : discourse intended to give a mental image of something experienced

beautiful beyond description

gave an accurate description of what he saw

b

: a statement or account giving the characteristics of someone or something : a descriptive statement or account

The review was little more than a description of the film's plot.

2

: kind or character especially as determined by salient (see salient entry 1 sense 3b) features

someone fitting the suspect's description

had toys of every description

opposed to any tax of so radical a description

Synonyms

• definition
• delineation
• depiction
• picture
• portrait
• portraiture
• portrayal
• rendering
• sketch
• vignette

Choose the Right Synonym for description

type, kind, sort, nature, description, character mean a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities.

type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

Examples of description in a Sentence

Reporters called the scene “a disaster area,” and I think that was an accurate description.

I applied for the position after reading the job description.

a writer with a gift of description

Recent Examples on the Web

Both descriptions are consistent with Grossman’s reputation as a brash, savvy negotiator. —Gabe Cohn, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024

Unfortunately, the United States fits that description. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

Goodman’s animated narration is paired with evocative music and soundscapes that enliven descriptions of modest homesteads; with these flourishes, information as seemingly banal as the evolution of dishwashing becomes mesmerizing. —Marnie Shure, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 2024

Her letter began gently, with a description of a recent conversation about Alice’s feelings of mistrust. —Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English descripcioun, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin description-, descriptio, from describere — see describe

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing description

• beggar description
• beyond description
• self-description

Kids Definition

description

noun

de·​scrip·​tion di-ˈskrip-shən 

1

: an account of something

especially : an account that presents a picture to a person who reads or hears it

2

: sort entry 1 sense 1a, kind

people of every description

Etymology

Middle English descripcioun "description," from early French descripcioun and Latin description-, descriptio (both, same meaning), from Latin describere "to describe," from de- "down" and scribere "to write" — related to scribe

Legal Definition

description

noun

de·​scrip·​tion

: a representation in words of the nature and characteristics of a thing: as

a

: a specification of the boundaries of a piece of land (as for a deed)

b

: an explanation of an invention in a patent application or printed publication