demarcate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to determine or mark off the boundaries or limits of.
to demarcate a piece of property.
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to separate distinctly.
to demarcate the lots with fences.
verb
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to mark, fix, or draw the boundaries, limits, etc, of
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to separate or distinguish between (areas with unclear boundaries)
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of demarcate
First recorded in 1810–20; back formation from demarcation
Explanation
To demarcate is to set or draw a boundary, like that of a country. It can also mean to separate clearly in other ways. When you demarcate, you’re creating a boundary. Election officials who create or change boundaries between districts are demarcating. Demarcating usually starts with making lines on a map, but those lines have power in the world, as they change the size of a district, state, country, or other place. The word can be used more broadly for creating other types of separation. At work, a boss could demarcate which employees are responsible for which work, which is another kind of separation.
Vocabulary lists containing demarcate
This Week in Words: September 25 - October 1, 2017
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"Coming of Age in the Dawnland," Vocabulary from the historical excerpt
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Academic Vocabulary, Units 1–3
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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.
To demarcate the borders of his $15 million deal, Jefferson sent out a Corps of Discovery—including young U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
Like their Jedi namesake, Skywalker gibbons cannot swim, so rivers tend to demarcate their species boundaries.
From Science Daily • Feb. 14, 2024
The second, published in Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity on Nov. 30, took those qualitative findings and attempted to demarcate four discrete subtypes or pathways for detransition.
From Slate • Dec. 1, 2023
He also expressed hope that Bhutan and China will be able to demarcate some of its boundaries in a meeting or two.
From BBC • Apr. 26, 2023
Nonetheless, many nations are actively cooperating to clarify, delineate, and demarcate their international borders.
From The 2003 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency
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.
