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Synonyms

define

American

[dih-fahyn] / dɪˈfaɪn /

verb (used with object)

to state or set forth the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.).

They disagreed on how to define “liberal.”
to explain or identify the nature or essential qualities of; describe.

to define judicial functions.
to fix or lay down clearly and definitely; specify distinctly.

to define one's responsibilities.

Synonyms:

enumerate, detail, describe, name, state
to determine or fix the boundaries or extent of.

to define property with stakes.
to make clear the outline or form of.

The roof was boldly defined against the sky.

verb (used without object)

to set forth the meaning of a word, phrase, etc.; construct a definition.

define British

/ dɪˈfaɪn /

verb

to state precisely the meaning of (words, terms, etc)
to describe the nature, properties, or essential qualities of
to determine the boundary or extent of
(often passive) to delineate the form or outline of

the shape of the tree was clearly defined by the light behind it
to fix with precision; specify

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

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Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of define

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English def(f)inen, from Anglo-French, Old French definer “to put an end to,” from Latin dēfīnīre ”to limit, define,“ equivalent to dē- “from, away from, out of” + fīnīre “to end”; see origin at de-, finish

Explanation

If you can't define a word, turn to the dictionary. That's always the best way to learn the definition. Likewise, anything you can describe completely is something you can define. The early French and Latin roots of the verb mean something closer to "to limit" or "to create a boundary," but this is really what we do when we define something: we limit its meaning to something specific. So when you're thinking about the word define, remember that you're looking to create a boundary of meaning around it, whether you're specifying the meaning of a word or a larger concept. To define a word such as astronomy is to define both the word and the realm of science that it's concerned with.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing define

The Language of Standardized Tests, List 1

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

The ACT: The Language of the Test, List 1

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

define defines defined defining

“Performance-based compensation can offer a rational and effective means to define and align adviser and investor goals,” the SEC’s Atkins said.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026

It is a region where traditional gender roles define women as the main providers of childcare, cooking and cleaning, and where firefighting is a male domain.

From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026

It doesn’t matter whether we can define whether AI will become conscious, but behavior is what matters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

The 25-year-old center’s age aligns well with Doncic, 27, and Reaves, 28, creating a potent trio that could define the franchise’s new era.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026

Combine and define confine + ment.—What other part of speech than a verb is "confine"? Ans.

From New Word-Analysis by William Swinton

The Scottish government defines a critical incident as any localised disruption which results in a board "losing its ability to deliver critical services, or, where patients and staff may be at risk of harm".

From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026

There are different ways academic research defines AI “exposure.”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026

By creating a level playing field at the federal level, the Protect College Sports Act will benefit student athletes and preserve the spirit of competition that defines collegiate sports.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

“Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement released by the team.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

Then the effort to make good on that vow is what defines us as human beings.

From "Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science" by Marc Aronson

Stakeholders currently are defined as anyone who lives, works or owns real property within the neighborhood boundaries, or community organizations like chambers of commerce or nonprofits.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

“Under increasingly challenging conditions, we have defined measures to reposition ourselves and will implement them with strong momentum,” Nedeljkovic added.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

The discounts from Target come as shoppers start to turn their attention to holiday shopping, which has increasingly been defined by big discount events held by the largest retailers through the fall.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026

AEW President Tony Khan said he "defined excellence" as a husband, friend and in his wrestling knowledge, skill and "unprecedented athleticism".

From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026

Every segment of an embryo can be defined on an axis that stretches from head to tail.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Abnormal protein buildup is a defining feature of conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 1, 2026

It was based on the 2019 BBC Newsnight interview conducted by Emily Maitlis with Mountbatten-Windsor regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and became a defining moment in modern royal and media history.

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026

Workers may move into and out of physically demanding jobs throughout their career, and defining such jobs would be “complicated and inevitably controversial,’ Altman said.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 24, 2026

Automakers are defining transparency as “no bait-and-switch when you arrive at the lot.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

Since limits are logically airtight, by defining a derivative in terms of limits, it becomes airtight as well—and puts calculus on a solid foundation.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023