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circular definition

American  

noun

Logic.

  1. a definition in which the definiendum (the expression being defined) or a variant of it appears in the definiens (the expression that defines it).

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.

Definitions vary widely; a typically subjective and circular definition comes from Dr. John E. Ikerd, extension professor at the University of Missouri:

From Forbes • Nov. 19, 2014

“Best” is apparently defined by being at the service academies, and that is a circular definition.

From Washington Post • Dec. 30, 2011

This, however, is a circular definition: it assumes that we already know what is meant by 'known premisses'.

From The Problems of Philosophy by Russell, Bertrand

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.