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
This Week In Culture: January 18–24, 2020
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Society and Solitude
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Dune
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
“The delineation is pre-OpenAI and post-OpenAI,” Stabile added, “that’s when you saw competition really take off.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
Though framed by a fantastical conceit, “Dear Monica Lewinsky” is at its core a realist novel, influenced by the feminism of #MeToo and precise in its delineation of character and place.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026
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
This is a gentle delineation, is it not, reader?
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
