Showing results for "defining"

• present participle of define.

defining

American  

[dih-fahy-ning] / dɪˈfaɪ nɪŋ /

adjective

1. decisive; critically important.

   Taking a course in architecture was a defining turn in her life.

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Other Word Forms

• nondefining
  adjective
• self-defining
  adjective

Explanation

Something defining is essential to what something is. A defining moment in your life helps makes you what you are. In the dictionary, definitions tell you what words mean, and the similar word defining has to do with what things are too. The defining characteristic of a chair is that you sit on it. The defining feature of food is you can eat it. People have defining features too: if you went to a summer camp and had an amazing time, it could be a defining time in your life. Defining things helps shape and mold us.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

defining

The defining problem of modern food vigilance is not necessarily that we know too little.

From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2026

"By defining the differences between the species and the limits of where each species is found, we can make better conservation decisions."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026

Parton's 2014 Glastonbury Festival appearance quickly became one of the defining "Legends" slot performances in the event's history.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

Yet its defining identity has been the heartbeat of high school football.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

As Will had found with the smoke of his fire, that had the effect of defining the angel’s body so he could see it more clearly.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman