1 delineate | Definition of delineate

delineate

verb
deĀ·​linĀ·​eate | \ di-Ėˆli-nē-ĖŒÄt How to pronounce delineate (audio) , dē-\
delineated; delineating

Definition of delineate

transitive verb

1 : to describe, portray, or set forth with accuracy or in detail delineate a character in the story delineate the steps to be taken by the government
2a : to indicate or represent by drawn or painted lines
b : to mark the outline of lights delineating the narrow streets

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Other Words from delineate

delineator \ di-​Ėˆli-​nē-​ĖŒÄ-​tər How to pronounce delineator (audio) , dē-​ \ noun

Synonyms for delineate

Synonyms

define, outline, silhouette, sketch, trace

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Examples of delineate in a Sentence

He plants his skates millimeters outside the blue-tinted 44-square-foot arena that delineates the crease and refuses to budge ā€¦ — Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated, 21 May 2007 Screenwriter Christopher Hampton introduces a large gallery of characters, subtly delineating the unspoken class biases that will keep Robbie, for all his confidence, charm and Cambridge education, an outsider. — David Ansen, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2007 So Madrid finally ordered OnĆ­s to cut the best deal he could. The resulting Transcontinental (or Adams-OnĆ­s) Treaty of 1819 ceded Florida to the United States and delineated the boundary between American and Spanish territory all the way to the Pacific Ocean ā€¦ — Walter A. McDougall, Promised Land, Crusader State, 1997 Privacy plays a unique role in American law. Although considered a core value by most citizens, it is not explicitly delineated as a protected right by the U.S. Constitution. — Edward A. Cavazos et al., Cyberspace and the Law, 1994 The report clearly delineates the steps that must be taken. The characters in the story were carefully delineated.
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Recent Examples on the Web

Not to mention fine china and silverware serve to delineate the haves (first and business class) from the have-nots (economy). Jasmin Malik Chua, Vox, "The best $3,000 I ever spent: training for my unruly dog," 9 July 2019 The fictional Yaakov, whose voiceover narration helps delineate many of the plot points, is such a dynamic central character that viewers will likely relate to his passion even if becoming discomfited by the sometimes inflammatory populist rhetoric. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Unorthodox': Film Review," 14 June 2019 The Medicare Advantage plans receive fixed payments from Medicare for each member based on detailed data delineating their health risksā€“ā€“the sicker the patient, the higher the payment. Shawn Tully, Fortune, "Private Insurance Canā€™t Survive Under Kamala Harrisā€™ Healthcare Plan. Hereā€™s Why," 1 Aug. 2019 Chenā€™s statues come into view after billboards plugging Peggy Sueā€™s 50ā€™s Diner; they are followed by 10 wooden signs delineating the Commandments and a prayer hotline. Matthew Ormseth, latimes.com, "With Tiananmen Square ā€˜Tank Man,ā€™ Chinese sculptor will keep democracyā€™s flame alive in Mojave," 3 June 2019 The program identified natural habitats that should be preserved in North County to protect native and potentially endangered plants and animals, while delineating areas where development could proceed with minimal environmental harm. Michael J. Williams, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Encinitas to step up habitat management," 9 May 2019 Medieval scholars of Islamic law delineated two basic forms of armed jihad: defensive jihad, an armed struggle against invaders; and aggressive jihad, a preemptive or offensive attack commissioned by a political authority. Mohammad Hassan Khalil, The Conversation, "So, what really is jihad?," 20 June 2019 John Wittman, an Abbott spokesman, said thereā€™s no written policy that strictly delineates what should be done on each account. James BarragĆ”n, Dallas News, "Can your elected official block you on Twitter or Facebook? New Texas case may provide an answer," 25 June 2019 Soderberry refers specifically to the economic trade terms of passthrough and burdens, which delineate where the imposition of the tariffs actually lands and who pays them. NBC News, "Trump's Mexico tariffs, set to begin Monday, will hit Americans' wallets and jobs," 7 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'delineate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of delineate

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

History and Etymology for delineate

borrowed from Latin dēlīneātus, past participle of dēlīneāre "to trace the outline of," from dē- de- + līneāre "to make straight, mark with lines," derivative of līnea "string, cord, line entry 1"

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More Definitions for delineate

delineate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of delineate

formal : to clearly show or describe (something)

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