defined
Americanadjective
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determined, fixed, or clearly marked out as to extent, outline, or form.
an itchy red rash with sharply defined edges.
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Mathematics. having an assigned or determinable value under particular conditions.
Etymology
Origin of defined
First recorded in 1720–30; define ( 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.
The development, Forest City, is a symbol of China’s real estate bust, defined by overborrowing and overbuilding at home and abroad.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026
In that case, Judge Keith Ellison defined “heat-sensitive” broadly, covering people taking antipsychotic, anticholinergic, or diuretic drugs, along with anyone diagnosed with psychiatric conditions, obesity, diabetes, or hypertension, among other things.
From Slate ● Jul. 31, 2026
The UK bestseller lists have a range of titles that sit in the "epic other-world adventures" category defined by the research, including:
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
“We know that the future of payments will not be defined by creating more isolated rails,” Mehra told MarketWatch.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026
If you don’t get out there and define yourself, you’ll be quickly and inaccurately defined by others.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
