demonstration

American  

[dem-uhn-strey-shuhn] / ˌdɛm ənˈstreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or circumstance of proving or being proved conclusively, as by reasoning or a show of evidence.

   a belief incapable of demonstration.

2. something serving as proof or supporting evidence.

   They sent a check as a demonstration of their concern.

3. a description or explanation, as of a process, illustrated by examples, specimens, or the like.

   a demonstration of methods of refining ore.

4. the act of exhibiting the operation or use of a device, machine, process, product, or the like, as to a prospective buyer.

5. an exhibition, as of feeling; display; manifestation.

   His demonstration of affection was embarrassing.

6. a public exhibition of the attitude of a group of persons toward a controversial issue, or other matter, made by picketing, parading, etc.

7. a show of military force or of offensive operations made to deceive an enemy.

8. Mathematics. a logical presentation of the way in which given assumptions imply a certain result; proof.

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demonstration British  

/ ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of demonstrating

2. proof or evidence leading to proof

3. an explanation, display, illustration, or experiment showing how something works

4. a manifestation of grievances, support, or protest by public rallies, parades, etc

5. a manifestation of emotion

6. a show of military force or preparedness

7. maths a logical presentation of the assumptions and equations used in solving a problem or proving a theorem

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Other Word Forms

• counterdemonstration
  noun
• demonstrational
  adjective
• demonstrationist
  noun
• predemonstration
  noun
• redemonstration
  noun
• subdemonstration
  noun
• superdemonstration
  noun
• undemonstrational
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of demonstration

1325–75; Middle English demonstracioun < Latin dēmonstrātiōn- (stem of dēmonstrātiō, equivalent to dēmonstrāt ( us ) ( see demonstrate) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

A demonstration is a show, or display. If you are against war, you might go to an anti-war demonstration in front of the White House. You might need to see a demonstration of napkin folding before you take a job as a waitress. Dressing well for a job interview and showing up on time is considered a demonstration of your seriousness about the job. Crying is a demonstration of your feelings. If you sell website design you can make a demonstration site, or demo, so clients can see what they would get if they hired you.

Example Sentences

But Kearney eventually came back to her magnet school, Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration, after community fundraising efforts and her secondary teaching certification in English paved the way for her return.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

The reactor is part of a public-private partnership with the Energy Department’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, a 50-50 cost share that has authorized up to $2 billion in federal funding for the project.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

The report evaluated the first year of California’s Peer-to-Peer Youth Mental Health High School Pilot Demonstration, a three-year initiative to strengthen student well-being by training high school students to support their peers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2026

Another key witness for the latest tranche of evidence is Peter Francis, a former officer of the now disbanded Special Demonstration Squad at the heart of the allegations of wrongdoing.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2025

But the motives of Faith are such, that although the Object be most certain, yet the Evidence is not so clear and irresistible, as that which flows from Sense, or a Demonstration.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• expression
• manifestation
• presentation
• show
• test
• testimony
• trial