detail
noun
de·tail
| \ di-ˈtāl
, ˈdē-ˌtāl
\
, ˈdē-ˌtāl
\
Definition of detail
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: extended treatment of or attention to particular items
explaining without going into detail giving careful attention to detail
2
: a part of a whole: such as
a
: a small and subordinate part : particular
planned the wedding down to the smallest detail
also
: a reproduction of such a part of a work of art
b
: a part considered or requiring to be considered separately from the whole
discussing the details of the building's columns
c
: the small elements that collectively constitute a work of art
admire the great detail of his work
d
photography
: the small elements of an image corresponding to those of the subject
strong lighting to achieve clarity of detail
3a
: selection of a person or group for a particular task (as in military service)
b(1)
: the person or group selected
a member of a security detail police details at the parade
(2)
: the task to be performed
were assigned to kitchen detail
in detail
: with all the particulars
explained the job in detail
detail
verb
detailed;
detailing;
details
Definition of detail (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to report minutely and distinctly : to report with close attention to small elements : specify
detailed their grievances wrote a letter detailing her vacation
2
: to assign to a particular task
was detailed to another unit during maneuvers
3
: to furnish with the smaller elements of design and finish
trimmings that detail slips and petticoats
4
: to clean and refurbish (a vehicle) very thoroughly and meticulously
detail a car
: to make detail drawings
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Examples of detail in a Sentence
Noun
Every detail of the wedding was carefully planned. They designed every detail of the house.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
At the time there were not details about the homes or hotel. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Zephyr files plan for wave resort, homes, retail on former drive-in site," 2 Sep. 2019 The president learned she’d shared details about his family and the White House during an off-the-record discussion with reporters, and the episode was part of what led to her sudden exit, the people said. — Josh Wingrove, chicagotribune.com, "Trump aide, his longtime Oval Office gatekeeper, resigns after off-record conversation with reporters," 30 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'detail.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.