demarcate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to determine or mark off the boundaries or limits of.
to demarcate a piece of property.
-
to separate distinctly.
to demarcate the lots with fences.
verb
-
to mark, fix, or draw the boundaries, limits, etc, of
-
to separate or distinguish between (areas with unclear boundaries)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has demarcatedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have demarcatedperfect
-
are demarcatingprogressive
-
demarcatingparticiple
-
demarcatessingular 3rd person
-
has been demarcatingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
have been demarcatingperfect progressive
-
is demarcatingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
am demarcatingprogressive 1st person singular
Past
-
had demarcatedperfect
-
demarcatedparticiple
-
were demarcatingprogressive plural
-
demarcatedsimple
-
was demarcatingprogressive singular
-
had been demarcatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of demarcate
First recorded in 1810–20; back formation from demarcation
Explanation
To demarcate is to set or draw a boundary, like that of a country. It can also mean to separate clearly in other ways. When you demarcate, you’re creating a boundary. Election officials who create or change boundaries between districts are demarcating. Demarcating usually starts with making lines on a map, but those lines have power in the world, as they change the size of a district, state, country, or other place. The word can be used more broadly for creating other types of separation. At work, a boss could demarcate which employees are responsible for which work, which is another kind of separation.
Vocabulary lists containing demarcate
This Week in Words: September 25 - October 1, 2017
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!
"Coming of Age in the Dawnland," Vocabulary from the historical excerpt
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!
Academic Vocabulary, Units 1–3
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.
To demarcate the borders of his $15 million deal, Jefferson sent out a Corps of Discovery—including young U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
Like their Jedi namesake, Skywalker gibbons cannot swim, so rivers tend to demarcate their species boundaries.
From Science Daily • Feb. 14, 2024
The second, published in Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity on Nov. 30, took those qualitative findings and attempted to demarcate four discrete subtypes or pathways for detransition.
From Slate • Dec. 1, 2023
The aid group tries to preserve sacred forests by working with communities to demarcate boundaries, raise awareness about cutting trees and teach people how to financially benefit through honey harvesting or snail farming.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 28, 2023
That a mixed commission of British and Afghan officers should determine and demarcate the Amir's frontier.
From Forty-one years in India From Subaltern To Commander-In-Chief by Roberts, Frederick Sleigh
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
