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description

American  
[dih-skrip-shuhn] / dɪˈskrɪp ʃən /

noun

  1. a statement, picture in words, or account that describes; descriptive representation.

  2. the act or method of describing.

  3. sort; kind; variety.

    dogs of every description.

    Synonyms:
    ilk, condition, character, nature, species
  4. Geometry. the act or process of describing a figure.


description British  
/ dɪˈskrɪpʃən /

noun

  1. a statement or account that describes; representation in words

  2. the act, process, or technique of describing

  3. sort, kind, or variety

    reptiles of every description

  4. geometry the act of drawing a line or figure, such as an arc

  5. philosophy a noun phrase containing a predicate that may replace a name as the subject of a sentence

"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

description Idioms  

Other Word Forms

  • predescription noun
  • redescription noun
  • self-description noun

Etymology

Origin of description

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English descripcioun, from Latin dēscrīptiōn-, stem of dēscrīptiō, from dēscrīpt(us) “described” (past participle of dēscrībere “to copy, draw, transcribe”; describe ) + -iō -ion

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.

Called Athena, the technology proposes item descriptions, suggests pricing and, crucially for a company that receives millions of goods a year to sell on consignment, helps discern authentic products from fakes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Burke eschews “terrorist” as a noun, because “I do not think reducing complex individuals to a single-word description is helpful.”

From The Wall Street Journal

She said Vance’s description of Denmark as “not a good ally” had saddened and angered her.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Meticulously restored and tastefully updated, the home honors its architectural heritage while offering modern amenities including a screening room, wine cellar, pool, oversized steam room, and a state-of-the-art sound system,” the description continues.

From MarketWatch

His description would have been a justifiable interpretation.

From BBC