definitions

definition

[ def-uh-nish-uh n ]
/ ˌdɛf əˈnɪʃ ən /
|

noun

the act of defining, or of making something definite, distinct, or clear: We need a better definition of her responsibilities.
the formal statement of the meaning or significance of a word, phrase, idiom, etc., as found in dictionaries. An online dictionary resource, such as Dictionary.com, can give users direct, immediate access to the definitions of a term, allowing them to compare definitions from various dictionaries and stay up to date with an ever-expanding vocabulary.
the condition of being definite, distinct, or clearly outlined: His biceps have great muscle definition.
Optics. sharpness of the image formed by an optical system.
Radio and Television. the accuracy of sound or picture reproduction.

RELATED CONTENT

How To Format And Cite A Word And DefinitionThere are different ways to format and cite a word and definition according to different manuals of style. The main thing to do is be consistent.
READ MORE
Redefine Black: Why Dictionary.com Is Updating Its DefinitionWhen My Black Is Beautiful reached out to Dictionary.com about "Redefine Black," we saw an opportunity to revisit our current entry of the word Black. As a result of this conversation, we’re making some updates and revisions that will be rolled out on Dictionary.com later this year.
READ MORE

Nearby words

definite description, definite integral, definite relative clause, definite relative pronoun, definitely, definition, definitive, definitive host, definitive plumage, definitize, definitude

Origin of definition

1350–1400; Middle English diffinicioun < Old French diffinition < Latin dēfīnītiōn- (stem of dēfīnītiō), equivalent to dēfīnīt(us) (see definite) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for definitionally

British Dictionary definitions for definitionally

definition

/ (ˌdɛfɪˈnɪʃən) /

noun

a formal and concise statement of the meaning of a word, phrase, etc
the act of defining a word, phrase, etc
specification of the essential properties of something, or of the criteria which uniquely identify it
the act of making clear or definite
the state or condition of being clearly defined or definite
a measure of the clarity of an optical, photographic, or television image as characterized by its sharpness and contrast

Derived Forms

definitional, adjective
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