delineation
AmericanOther Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of delineation
1560–70; < Late Latin dēlīneātiōn- (stem of dēlīneātiō ) a sketch, equivalent to Latin dēlīneāt ( us ) ( see delineate) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Delineation is the act of representing something or describing it. The portrait you paint of your best friend is a delineation of that person. A delineation can refer to any kind of pictorial representation of something else, like a geometric sketch or a map of a city. A delineation more generally means any kind of accurate or vivid portrayal of something else. So, a lively summary of a book that makes the listener feel she read it herself can be a delineation. Telling someone else what you dreamed about last night is a delineation of that dream.
Vocabulary lists containing delineation
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
One charm of this gorgeously illustrated book is the absence of a clear delineation between what happened and what Mr. Derman allows himself to imagine happened.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025
What has changed is the delineation between public and private, who can broadcast their innermost lives to the world, and whose innermost lives garner the world’s interest.
From Slate • Sep. 10, 2025
"Today, precise state-led strikes, backed by central paramilitary forces, have changed the game. While paramilitary held the ground, state forces gathered intelligence and launched targeted operations. It was clear role delineation and coordination," he said.
From BBC • May 27, 2025
“They’re providing their French, Portuguese and Irish employees a clear delineation between ‘work time’ and non-work time,’ they’re just not doing that for Californians.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2024
Volpe told her some might sincerely believe there needs to be a higher wall, more delineation of adult-child authority.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
