delineated

American  

[dih-lin-ee-ey-tid] / dɪˈlɪn iˌeɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. precisely traced or outlined.

   The crisply delineated form of the arch stands out against the soft clouds of steam that rise from the courtyard.

2. precisely defined or explained.

   The Shire ends at clearly delineated boundaries.

   Checklists are used to promote the recording and verification of delineated steps in tasks that, if improperly completed, could result in dangerous or damaging outcomes.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of delineate.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• undelineated
  adjective
• well-delineated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of delineated

delineate ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

Delineated describes something that has been clearly portrayed or accurately represented. Read a love letter in which your admirer’s feelings are delineated, and you don’t have any doubt how the author feels about you. The word delineated can describe something — like a diagram or map — that was literally drawn clearly. More often, you will hear the word in relation to something less tangible — like how a character in a novel is delineated, or depicted, by an author, or a politician who gave a speech in which her position was delineated, or defined. You might try to remember the word delineated by thinking of it as something with clearly defined lines.

Example Sentences

In the opening statement of an international conference held at the bank’s headquarters in Tokyo, Ueda delineated the nuances of how higher energy costs can feed through to inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

The front of the coin will feature Trump in profile, with his trademark 1967 Las Vegas lounge act hairstyle delineated in fine detail.

From Salon • Oct. 7, 2025

In a lengthy preamble, the order delineated that early history through the shuttering of veterans’ housing in the 1970s to improper leases of veterans’ land that led to the two lawsuits.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2025

The wildfire–urban fire distinction matters because it determines both who is vulnerable to such disasters—a much broader section of neighborhoods than is delineated by fire-risk maps—and how to address the problem.

From Slate • Jan. 14, 2025

Everyone in the crew had a specific job with carefully delineated responsibilities.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore

Related Words

• descriptive
• illustrated
• photographic
• visual
• vivid