1 delineation | Definition of delineation

delineation

noun
deĀ·​linĀ·​eaĀ·​tion | \ di-ĖŒli-nē-ĖˆÄ-shən How to pronounce delineation (audio) , dē-\

Definition of delineation

1 : the act of outlining or representing something with lines or words : the act of delineating the delineation of a scene ā€¦ the delineation of the territories allotted to the seven tribes of Israel ā€¦— Adam Nicholson
2 : something made by delineating a photographic delineation of low life— T. S. Eliot

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from delineation

delineative \ di-​Ėˆli-​nē-​ĖŒÄ-​tiv How to pronounce delineative (audio) , dē-​ \ adjective

Synonyms for delineation

Synonyms

cartoon, drawing, sketch

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

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

That wasnā€™t a clear enough delineation between his private and public life, the watchdog found. The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "Analysis: What is the Hatch Act, and how did Kellyanne Conway violate it?," 13 June 2019 In addition to the architectural delineations, Green's constant 're-merchandizing' helped break up the space. Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "Inside a Chanel Fashion Executiveā€™s High-Glam Sutton Place Home," 26 July 2019 CBS News Campaign Reporter Bo Erickson highlights a few priorities: eliminating the mandatory minimum for drug offenses, the federal death penalty, and also the delineation between crack and cocaine punishments. Caitlin Conant, CBS News, "2020 Daily Trail Markers: Voters say they may skip Mueller's testimony to Congress," 23 July 2019 At eye-level, Maxwellā€™s shadow was slightly escapist in nature, the warming tone diffusing toward the brow, while the modelā€™s painted matte lip was further defined by a visible delineation of lip liner. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, "Stella Maxwell Puts a Twist on the Makeup Hue of the Moment," 12 July 2019 This delineation overturned the yellow card for a straight red, sending the centerback off the field with a full half left to play. Julia Poe, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando City falls 3-1 to Philadelphia Union while down two men due to red cards," 4 July 2019 There was clear delineation on the ā€™72 Lakers ā€” Gail Goodrich was strictly a shooter while Jerry West ran the point and took the biggest shots. Bruce Jenkins, SFChronicle.com, "James Harden and Russell Westbrook: Rockets interesting, but doomed," 13 July 2019 Each yearly delineation on the sequoiaā€™s surface is a small part of a far grander story that ties together all of life on Earth. Riley Black, Smithsonian, "A 16-Million-Year-Old Tree Tells a Deep Story of the Passage of Time," 10 June 2019 That delineation is important because many people who donā€™t experience spontaneous desire feel like something is wrong with them when in fact their desire responses are perfect as is. Corinne Werder, Allure, "The Shame-Free Guide to Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder," 23 May 2019

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

See More

First Known Use of delineation

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for delineation

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

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on delineation

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with delineation

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for delineation

Britannica English: Translation of delineation for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about delineation