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View synonyms for

definition

[ def-uh-nish-uhn ]

noun

  1. the act of defining, or of making something definite, distinct, or clear:

    We need a better definition of her responsibilities.

  2. the formal statement of the meaning or significance of a word, phrase, idiom, etc., as found in dictionaries. An online dictionary resource, such as Dictionary.com, can give users direct, immediate access to the definitions of a term, allowing them to compare definitions from various dictionaries and stay up to date with an ever-expanding vocabulary.
  3. the condition of being definite, distinct, or clearly outlined:

    His biceps have great muscle definition.

  4. Optics. sharpness of the image formed by an optical system.
  5. Radio and Television. the accuracy of sound or picture reproduction.


definition

/ ˌɛɪˈɪʃə /

noun

  1. a formal and concise statement of the meaning of a word, phrase, etc
  2. the act of defining a word, phrase, etc
  3. specification of the essential properties of something, or of the criteria which uniquely identify it
  4. the act of making clear or definite
  5. the state or condition of being clearly defined or definite
  6. a measure of the clarity of an optical, photographic, or television image as characterized by its sharpness and contrast
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌھˈԾپDzԲ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ··Ծ·پDz· adjective
  • ··Ծ·پDz··ly adverb
  • ···Ծ·پDz noun
  • ···Ծ·پDz noun
  • -··Ծ·پDz noun
  • ܲ···Ծ·پDz noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of definition1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English diffinicioun, from Old French diffinition, from Latin ŧīīپō- (stem of ŧīīپō ), equivalent to ŧīī(ܲ) ( definite ) + -ō- noun suffix ( -ion )
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The FA has been taking legal advice since the landmark UK Supreme Court ruling two weeks ago that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex under equalities law.

From

The federal judge who made the initial ruling said the administration was unclear in its definition of DEI.

From

On 16 April the Supreme Court ruled the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex, a ruling Sir Keir Starmer has said he agrees with.

From

"The definition of universal is everyone gets the same, but we know that's not true already."

From

That rise is, at least in part, attributable to increased autism awareness and an expanding definition of the disorder, scientists say.

From

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definite relative pronoundefinitions