characterized

American

[kar-ik-tuh-rahyzd] / ˈkær ɪk təˌraɪzd /

especially British, characterised

adjective

having been described or distinguished.

Further identification is possible by comparing the unknown organism with a characterized organism.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of characterize.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of characterized

characterize ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

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.

Litafik, a seasoned Kentucky political strategist, which he characterized as the heart of Massie’s specific brand of conservative politics.

From Salon • May 14, 2026

The White House characterized the meeting as “good” as it stressed commerce between the two countries and Xi’s opposition to Iranian tolls in the Strait of Hormuz.

From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026

To him, the white-bearded CEO who revived the dinosaurs is unfairly characterized.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

"This represents one of the best characterized samples of close in planets and will help us identify the most promising systems for future study."

From Science Daily • May 3, 2026

The practice of re-enslavement was so widespread in some states that it was characterized in a Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Douglas Blackmon as Slavery by Another Name.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023