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definite article

American  

noun

Grammar.
  1. an article, as English the, that classes as identified or definite the noun it modifies.


definite article British  

noun

  1. grammar a determiner that expresses specificity of reference, such as the in English Compare indefinite article

"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

definite article Cultural  
  1. The word the; the article that precedes names of specific items: “the dog,” “the boats,” “the heavy anchor.” (Compare indefinite article.)


Etymology

Origin of definite article

First recorded in 1755–65