definite article

American  

noun

Grammar.

• definite articles
  plural

1. an article, as English the, that classes as identified or definite the noun it modifies.

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definite article British  

noun

1. grammar a determiner that expresses specificity of reference, such as the in English Compare indefinite article

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definite article Cultural  

1. The word the; the article that precedes names of specific items: “the dog,” “the boats,” “the heavy anchor.” (Compare indefinite article.)

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• definite articles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of definite article

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

definite article

Coach Ron Rivera likes to use the definite article “the” when describing his young quarterback.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 6, 2023

Apparently, it doesn’t even warrant a definite article.

From New York Times ● Mar. 16, 2023

Leading with such a very definite article instead of calling it "Suicide Squad II" signals that it is the only one that matters.

From Salon ● Dec. 8, 2022

The new film, which has been described as less of a sequel than a soft reboot, boasts more than a definite article.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 2, 2021

Oddly enough, one of the most easily overlooked disambiguating words in English is the most frequent word in the language: the lowly definite article the.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker