define

American  

[dih-fahyn] / dɪˈfaɪn /

verb (used with object)

defined, defining

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

   They disagreed on how to define “liberal.”

2. to explain or identify the nature or essential qualities of; describe.

   to define judicial functions.

3. to fix or lay down clearly and definitely; specify distinctly.

   to define one's responsibilities.

   Synonyms:

   enumerate, detail, describe, name, state

4. to determine or fix the boundaries or extent of.

   to define property with stakes.

5. to make clear the outline or form of.

   The roof was boldly defined against the sky.

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verb (used without object)

defined, defining

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

define British  

/ dɪˈfaɪn /

verb

1. to state precisely the meaning of (words, terms, etc)

2. to describe the nature, properties, or essential qualities of

3. to determine the boundary or extent of

4. (often passive) to delineate the form or outline of

   the shape of the tree was clearly defined by the light behind it

5. to fix with precision; specify

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Other Word Forms

• definability
  noun
• definable
  adjective
• definably
  adverb
• definement
  noun
• definer
  noun
• misdefine
  verb (used with object)
• nondefinability
  noun
• nondefinable
  adjective
• nondefinably
  adverb
• nondefined
  adjective
• nondefiner
  noun
• predefine
  verb (used with object)
• redefine
  verb (used with object)
• self-defined
  adjective
• semidefined
  adjective
• undefinable
  adjective

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.

Example Sentences

Appeared in the March 17, 2026, print edition as 'Iran Will Define Trump’s Legacy'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

Margot Mifflin is a professor at the City University of New York and the author, most recently, of “Looking for Miss America: A Pageant’s 100-year Quest to Define Womanhood.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2024

“The symbols of public culture are always mediated in the social world by a variety of social institutions,” argued sociologist James Davison Hunter in his seminal 1991 publication Culture Wars: The Struggle to Define America.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2023

The gathering has a noteworthy title: “The People’s Justice: Clarence Thomas and the Constitutional Stories that Define Him,” and it takes place at noon Wednesday.

From Washington Times • Jun. 18, 2023

“We have one other question for you. Define loyalty.”

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy

Related Words

• characterize
• construe
• decide
• delineate
• describe
• designate
• detail
• determine
• exemplify
• explain
• illustrate
• interpret
• prescribe
• represent
• specify
• spell out