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

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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

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

Her niceness is writ large, it is her defining quality and she needs it acknowledged, often, daily almost, which can be tiring.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

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