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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

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

When we catch ourselves in these negative thought patterns, it’s important to remember that our socioeconomic status doesn’t define us.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

As we saw in the last chapter, it is not always easy to define the threshold for saying that a culture ‘has’ something, but language usually provides a useful marker.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

"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

The CoC charter defines the membership as “persons and entities interested in collaborative, solution-oriented planning to address homelessness in LA County,” a definition that could easily include thousands of potential voters.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

Known as the Lawson criterion, this equation defines the conditions required for ignition.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026

A relatively small group of venture funds manage megafunds, which PitchBook defines as funds exceeding $500 million.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

His preferred term is the post-classical word ostensio, a display or showing, which he defines as ‘a manifest demonstration by means of a body’.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

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

It has also been a while since the S&P 500 experienced a correction, typically defined as a drop of 10% or more from a recent high.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

He coined more than fifty medical terms still in use today and defined a host of new diseases.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

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

"This is a crucial time... for defining what is Israeli, what is Judaism, how these things work together," she said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026

The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 222,000 copies in its first week, and produced three of the band’s defining songs: “Aerials,” “Toxicity,” and “Chop Suey!”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

"Do you sit down at a terminal and feel a rush of energy? Do you enjoy playing with and defining AI systems?"

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

Race plays a major role—indeed, a defining role—in the current system, but not because of what is commonly understood as old-fashioned, hostile bigotry.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

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