definition
[def-uh-nish-uh n]
- the act of defining, or of making something definite, distinct, or clear: We need a better definition of her responsibilities.
- the formal statement of the meaning or significance of a word, phrase, idiom, etc., as found in dictionaries. An online dictionary resource, such as Dictionary.com, can give users direct, immediate access to the definitions of a term, allowing them to compare definitions from various dictionaries and stay up to date with an ever-expanding vocabulary.
- the condition of being definite, distinct, or clearly outlined: His biceps have great muscle definition.
- Optics. sharpness of the image formed by an optical system.
- Radio and Television. the accuracy of sound or picture reproduction.
Origin of definition
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for self-definition
Contemporary Examples
The brightly colored sheath was a form of political détente and self-definition.
Walking up to the edge of propriety and stepping over the line are all a rite of passage to self-definition.
And as civil-rights advocates fought for their humanity, self-definition was a fundamental goal.
And like most exercises in self-definition, the answer reveals more than it intends.
Historical Examples
Every nationality in the state to have the right of self-definition.
BolshevismJohn Spargo
Many-to-many communication is not just a matter of bandwidth on digital networks, but of self-definition, also.
The Civilization of IlliteracyMihai Nadin
Self-definition implies the ability to establish a domain of possibilities.
The Civilization of IlliteracyMihai Nadin
definition
- a formal and concise statement of the meaning of a word, phrase, etc
- the act of defining a word, phrase, etc
- specification of the essential properties of something, or of the criteria which uniquely identify it
- the act of making clear or definite
- the state or condition of being clearly defined or definite
- a measure of the clarity of an optical, photographic, or television image as characterized by its sharpness and contrast
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
Word Origin and History for self-definition
definition
n.
late 14c., "decision, setting of boundaries," from Old French definicion, from Latin definitionem (nominative definitio), noun of action from past participle stem of definire (see define).
In logic, meaning "act of stating what something means" is from 1640s; meaning "a statement of the essential nature of something" is from late 14c.; the special focus on words developed after c.1550. Meaning "degree of distinctness of the details in a picture" is from 1889.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper