Synonyms

define

American

[dih-fahyn] / dɪˈfaɪn /

verb (used with object)

to state or set forth the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.).

They disagreed on how to define “liberal.”
to explain or identify the nature or essential qualities of; describe.

to define judicial functions.
to fix or lay down clearly and definitely; specify distinctly.

to define one's responsibilities.

Synonyms:

enumerate, detail, describe, name, state
to determine or fix the boundaries or extent of.

to define property with stakes.
to make clear the outline or form of.

The roof was boldly defined against the sky.

verb (used without object)

to set forth the meaning of a word, phrase, etc.; construct a definition.

define British

/ dɪˈfaɪn /

verb

to state precisely the meaning of (words, terms, etc)
to describe the nature, properties, or essential qualities of
to determine the boundary or extent of
(often passive) to delineate the form or outline of

the shape of the tree was clearly defined by the light behind it
to fix with precision; specify

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

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Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

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Etymology

Origin of define

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English def(f)inen, from Anglo-French, Old French definer “to put an end to,” from Latin dēfīnīre ”to limit, define,“ equivalent to dē- “from, away from, out of” + fīnīre “to end”; see origin at de-, finish

Explanation

If you can't define a word, turn to the dictionary. That's always the best way to learn the definition. Likewise, anything you can describe completely is something you can define. The early French and Latin roots of the verb mean something closer to "to limit" or "to create a boundary," but this is really what we do when we define something: we limit its meaning to something specific. So when you're thinking about the word define, remember that you're looking to create a boundary of meaning around it, whether you're specifying the meaning of a word or a larger concept. To define a word such as astronomy is to define both the word and the realm of science that it's concerned with.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing define

The Language of Standardized Tests, List 1

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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

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The ACT: The Language of the Test, List 1

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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.

See Examples For:

define defines defined defining

Wells dismissed those fears on Thursday and said a previous clause in the draft legislation that would have granted ministerial powers to define harmful content had been removed.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

Black cabinetry and a sizable island also define the space, which is well-suited for entertaining.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026

The allegations against her are false, she said, and she won’t allow them to define her “decades of public service” and intends to “vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

Explaining his experiences of learning to stand up to bullies while growing up, he added: "It shouldn't define you. I just happen to have CP."

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

The Harvard men asked the believers to define the spirit manifestations.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

The statute defines “videotape service provider” to include any person in the business of delivering “prerecorded video cassette tapes or similar audio visual materials.”

From Slate ● Oct. 17, 2026

Mejia demanded the information, much of which was also requested by The Times, as required in the 2021 contract that defines the working relationship between LA28 and the host city of the 2028 games.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

"There's no magic line" dictating what defines a nation, he told AFP, but noted Alberta's case for nationhood appears harder to make than that of other groups, like Catalans, Scots and French-speaking Canadians in Quebec.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

It can, they said, act as a label that defines them by their "difficulties" rather than "strengths and potential".

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

“Lisa must love this place, though. It pretty much defines outdoorsy.”

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

Even after extensive laboratory expansion, the GMPs maintained the molecular characteristics that defined them.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

The opening days of Zacharia’s tenure have been defined by questions over claims she has made about her background.

From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026

Duggan, who was brought up in south-west London, said the scheme "challenged conventional suburban housing layouts centred on roads, private gardens and clearly defined front and back spaces".

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

In a recent SoFi survey, “the ability to enjoy life” was the most common way Americans defined financial progress: 59% said it was a meaningful marker of progress, and 40% said investing was.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

And his face looked as stony as the streets of the city—chiseled and sharply defined.

From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye

She is beautiful and desirable, but her sexuality isn’t the defining characteristic of her existence — something we don’t see enough when it comes to Latina roles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

I also think Elon Musk, having seen the ascent of Steve Jobs, was sort of defining himself in that way too – or going back to Thomas Edison, who had his own P.T.

From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2026

It can be a defining six weeks for Lampard's men after a resounding, if not perfect, win against Newcastle.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

With both Manchester City and rivals Manchester United having huge international draw, football is one of the city's defining assets, said Subrahmaniam Krishnan-Harihara, head of research at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

“One of the defining characteristics of the Divergent is that their minds are Assistant to simulations,” says Tobias.

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

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