demarcation

or de·mar·ka·tion

[ dee-mahr-key-shuhn ]

/ ˌdi mɑrˈkeɪ ʃən /

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See synonyms for demarcation on Thesaurus.com

noun

the determining and marking off of the boundaries of something.

separation by distinct boundaries: line of demarcation.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of demarcation

1720–30; Latinization of Spanish demarcación (in linea de demarcación line of demarcation, dividing the world between Spain and Portugal) derivative of demarcar to mark out the bounds of, equivalent to de-de- + marcar<Italian marcare<Germanic; see mark¹, -ation

Words nearby demarcation

demand note, demand-pull inflation, demand-side, demantoid, demarcate, demarcation, demarcative, démarche, demark, demarket, demarketing

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use demarcation in a sentence

Vehicles of every size and description, piloted by people often at cross purposes, travel along a roadway that serves as a line of demarcation between the bustling city and the respite of the park.
The Intersection Is a City’s Watering Hole, and It’s Teeming with Life and Danger|wtaylor|August 20, 2021|Outside Online
In considering Morgan’s case, we can see that in addition to these hard demarcations, scientists in the 1970s also used feminist science as a tool of soft demarcation.
Tarzan Wasn’t for Her - Issue 100: Outsiders|Erika Lorraine Milam|June 2, 2021|Nautilus
At home there’s no demarcation between your sofa and the world.
This Summer, We’re Going to Go to the Movies More—and Love It More|Stephanie Zacharek|May 12, 2021|Time
“You want simple and sensible demarcations, but you also want to be inclusive and diverse,” Mwanza says.
‘Buy Nothing’ groups: A place to share goods, services — and gratitude|Anying Guo|April 22, 2021|Washington Post

Sara wrote about their takes on getting money and endorsements from police officer unions, and that turned out to be a very interesting demarcation.
Politics Report: Hotel Tax Hike Just Wants Life|Scott Lewis and Andrew Keatts|February 27, 2021|Voice of San Diego
In Voodoo, the demarcation between life and death is more fluid; helping Voodoo followers create order out of disorder.
‘Gods of Suburbia’: Dina Goldstein’s Arresting Photo Series on Religion vs. Consumerism|Dina Goldstein|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At that demarcation between inside and out, the vista is most expansive.
Geoff Dyer at Sea: Unmoored but on Target|Melissa Holbrook Pierson|May 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They've argued about demarcation principles, especially regarding land along the Dragonja River.
Half of This Bar Is in Slovenia, the Other Half Is in Croatia|Jeff Campagna|January 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yes, Israel fought a major war with Syria in 1973, but since then, the line of demarcation had been peaceful.
What Israel Really Thinks About Syria|Yaakov Katz|May 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“I think this could really be an important point of demarcation for Jewish public opinion of the president,” Tisch says.
Jewish Anger at Obama|Lloyd Grove|March 18, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Various points of demarcation might be chosen, each founded on some important step in evolution.
Man And His Ancestor|Charles Morris
What is the exact line of demarcation between man and the other animals which he calls brutes?
Superstition In All Ages (1732)|Jean Meslier
Finally a general agreement for the demarcation of Africa was made in 1890 (see Africa, 5).
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 8|Various
Hence, the transition is abrupt; although by no means conclusive as to any broad and trenchant line of ethnological demarcation.
The Ethnology of the British Colonies and Dependencies|Robert Gordon Latham
The Two-banded Scolia stings a little lower down, on the line of demarcation between the first two thoracic segments.
More Hunting Wasps|J. Henri Fabre

British Dictionary definitions for demarcation

demarcation

demarkation

/ (ˌdiːmɑːˈkeɪʃən) /

noun

the act of establishing limits or boundaries

a limit or boundary

a strict separation of the kinds of work performed by members of different trade unions
(as modifier)demarcation dispute

separation or distinction (often in the phrase line of demarcation)

Word Origin for demarcation

C18: Latinized version of Spanish demarcación, from demarcar to appoint the boundaries of, from marcar to mark, from Italian marcare, of Germanic origin; see mark 1

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

demarcation

or de·mar·ka·tion

Origin of demarcation

Words nearby demarcation

Words related to demarcation

How to use demarcation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for demarcation

demarkation

Word Origin for demarcation