define
verb
de·fine
| \ di-ˈfīn
\
\
defined;
defining
Definition of define
1a
: to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of
whatever defines us as human
b
: to discover and set forth the meaning of (something, such as a word)
how the dictionary defines "grotesque"
c
computing
: to create with established rules or parameters
define a window define a procedure
2a
: to fix or mark the limits of : demarcate
rigidly defined property lines
b
: to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline
the issues aren't too well defined eyes defined by mascara
3
: characterize, distinguish
you define yourself by the choices you make — Denison Univ. Bull. the moment that defined the campaign
: to make a definition (see definition sense 1a)
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Other Words from define
definement
\ di-ˈfīn-mənt
\
noun
\
noun
definer
\ di-ˈfī-nər
\
noun
\
noun
Synonyms for define
Synonyms
delineate, outline, silhouette, sketch, trace
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Examples of define in a Sentence
a term that is difficult to define
The government study seeks to define urban poverty.
Her book aims to define acceptable social behavior.
She believes that success should be defined in terms of health and happiness.
That fence defines the far edge of the property.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Anthony Rizzo described it as a season-defining moment. — Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, "Kris Bryant’s 2-run homer in the 8th — the game’s 5th lead change — gives the Cubs a wild 12-11 win over the Giants," 22 Aug. 2019 For instance, polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common cause of infertility—defined as not getting pregnant within a year of trying—in people with ovaries, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Natasha Lavender, SELF, "So, Let’s Talk About That Whole Fertility and Age 35 Thing," 22 Aug. 2019 Between 2008 and 2018, families with coverage through a large employer (defined as a corporation with at least 1,000 employees), saw those costs jump 67%. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, "Here's how much a family with good health insurance spent last year," 21 Aug. 2019 In these schemes, Alice’s private key is a simple lattice basis and her public key is a messy one that defines the same pattern. — Adrian Cho, Science | AAAS, "Cryptographers scramble to protect the internet from hackers with quantum computers," 21 Aug. 2019 One of the biggest projects of the board was developing the Ramona Village Center Form Based Code, which sets building and landscaping rules for areas defined as the Village Center. — Ramona Sentinel, "Community Profile: Rob Lewallen trades itinerant life for one rooted in Ramona," 19 Aug. 2019 The system-defining Joy Con rails on the sides of the console have an electrical connector tucked into the bottom of the rail. — Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, "Turning the Nintendo Switch into Android’s best gaming hardware," 15 Aug. 2019 It’s defined as a persistent compulsive dependency on a behavior or substance that harms the user. — Ezra Klein, Vox, "Is Big Tech addictive? A debate with Nir Eyal.," 7 Aug. 2019 There may be nothing more self-defining than our tastes. — Bill Sullivan, National Geographic, "Why we like what we like: A scientist’s surprising findings," 6 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'define.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for define
define
verb
English Language Learners Definition of define
: to explain the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.)
: to show or describe (someone or something) clearly and completely
: to show the shape, outline, or edge of (something) very clearly
See the full definition for define in the English Language Learners Dictionary
define
verb
de·fine
| \ di-ˈfīn
\
\
defined;
defining
Kids Definition of define
1
: to explain the meaning of
define a word
2
: to make clear especially in outline
Your responsibilities are defined in the handout.
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