circular definition

American

noun

Logic.

a definition in which the definiendum (the expression being defined) or a variant of it appears in the definiens (the expression that defines it).

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.

Definitions vary widely; a typically subjective and circular definition comes from Dr. John E. Ikerd, extension professor at the University of Missouri:

From Forbes

“Best” is apparently defined by being at the service academies, and that is a circular definition.

From Washington Post

This, however, is a circular definition: it assumes that we already know what is meant by 'known premisses'.

From Project Gutenberg

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