demarcation

American  

[dee-mahr-key-shuhn] / ˌdi mɑrˈkeɪ ʃən /

Or demarkation

noun

1. the determining and marking off of the boundaries of something.

2. separation by distinct boundaries.

   line of demarcation.

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demarcation British  

/ ˌdiːmɑːˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of establishing limits or boundaries

2. a limit or boundary

3. 1. a strict separation of the kinds of work performed by members of different trade unions

   2. ( as modifier )

      demarcation dispute

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

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Etymology

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; mark ¹, -ation

Example Sentences

The dispute over the exact demarcation of the two countries’ border has its origins in a 1909 map drawn up by Cambodia’s then colonial power France that was later disputed by Thailand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

It comes as thousands have protested at the UN's annual climate conference, with some carrying signs reading "demarcation now".

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2025

The Thai-Cambodia conflict flared over a smattering of border temples, contested because of a vague territorial demarcation made by Cambodia's French colonial administrators in 1907.

From Barron's • Oct. 26, 2025

The easy demarcation line for Ohtani this year has been before and after he returned to pitching in mid-June, with offensive production dropping even as his stuff has ticked up on the mound.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2025

But long before this the Aristotelian demarcation between superlunary and sublunary had been shattered by Brahe.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• delimitation
• separation