demonstrate

American  

[dem-uhn-strayt] / ˈdɛm ənˌstreɪt /

verb (used with object)

• demonstrates,
  present (3rd person singular)
• demonstrated,
  past participle,  past
• demonstrating
  present participle

1. 

   to make evident or establish by arguments or reasoning; prove.

   to demonstrate a philosophical principle.

   Synonyms:

   corroborate, verify, confirm, show

2. to describe, explain, or illustrate by examples, specimens, experiments, or the like.

   to demonstrate the force of gravity by dropping an object.

3. to manifest or exhibit; show.

   He demonstrated his courage by his actions in battle.

4. to display openly or publicly, as feelings.

   to demonstrate one's anger by slamming a door.

5. to exhibit the operation or use of (a device, process, product, or the like), usually to a purchaser or prospect.

   to demonstrate an automobile.

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verb (used without object)

• demonstrates,
  present (3rd person singular)
• demonstrated,
  past participle,  past
• demonstrating
  present participle

1. to make, give, or take part in, a demonstration.

   The pickets required a license to demonstrate.

2. Military. to attack or make a show of force to deceive an enemy.

demonstrate British  

/ ˈdɛmənˌstreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to show, manifest, or prove, esp by reasoning, evidence, etc

   it is easy to demonstrate the truth of this proposition

2. (tr) to evince; reveal the existence of

   the scheme later demonstrated a fatal flaw

3. (tr) to explain or illustrate by experiment, example, etc

4. (tr) to display, operate, and explain the workings of (a machine, product, etc)

5. (intr) to manifest support, protest, etc, by public parades or rallies

6. (intr) to be employed as a demonstrator of machinery, etc

7. (intr) military to make a show of force, esp in order to deceive one's enemy

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• redemonstrate
  verb
• predemonstrate
  verb (used with object)
• subdemonstrate
  verb (used with object)
• counterdemonstrate
  verb (used without object)
• undemonstrated
  adjective
• well-demonstrated
  adjective
• demonstratedly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• demonstrating
  present
• demonstrated
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• demonstrate
  simple
• demonstrates
  simple
• have demonstrated
  perfect
• has demonstrated
  perfect
• am demonstrating
  progressive
• are demonstrating
  progressive
• is demonstrating
  progressive
• have been demonstrating
  perfect progressive
• has been demonstrating
  perfect progressive

Past

• demonstrated
  simple
• had demonstrated
  perfect
• was demonstrating
  progressive
• were demonstrating
  progressive
• had been demonstrating
  perfect progressive

Future

• will demonstrate
  simple
• will have demonstrated
  perfect
• will be demonstrating
  progressive
• will have been demonstrating
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of demonstrate

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin dēmonstrātus, past participle of dēmonstrāre “to show, point out,” equivalent to dē- de- + monstrāre “to show,” verbal derivative of monstrum “sign, portent”; see origin at monster ( def. )

Explanation

When you demonstrate something, you show what it is or how it works. To demonstrate how your new juicer works, you should have lots of kale, carrots, and beets on hand — and some brave friends to try your concoction. Demonstrate comes from the Latin word demonstrare, meaning “to point out by argument or deduction.” To demonstrate a point you must make a valid argument and give examples of why you think it's true. Demonstrate can also refer to a public protest. You can demonstrate with your comrades by marching through the streets with homemade protest signs.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

demonstrate demonstrates demonstrated demonstrating

Cook’s lawyers said she “welcomes the opportunity to present the facts so she can clear her name and demonstrate there is no legal basis to fire her.”

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026

Nonetheless, they said Cook "welcomes the opportunity to present the facts so she can clear her name and demonstrate there is no legal basis to fire her."

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

"The key thing is being able to demonstrate to young players that we have a plan," Cave said.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

“This is a positive signal, but no reason to sound the all-clear. The declines in our exports to the U.S. and China, in particular, demonstrate how volatile the situation remains,” said BGA President Dirk Jandura.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

A prince should also demonstrate that he is a lover of the virtues, by giving hospitality to virtuous men and by honouring those who excel in a particular skill.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli

"Kane also demonstrates qualities as a passer, dribbler, and tackler. He is simultaneously a goalscorer, playmaker, box-to-box player, and tackler."

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

That unexpected path from military clothing research to agriculture demonstrates the value of collaboration across scientific fields, said co-author R. Michael Roe, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor at NC State.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 1, 2026

As the book moves across history and demonstrates how the internet has completely upended the binary, they also show what hasn’t changed about the way fans relate to their favorites.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026

"When I joined police 15 months ago they said to be ready for anything, so I guess this demonstrates that's true!" said Constable Taylor, who escorted the pup.

From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026

I’m trying not to make eye contact with them as Guillermo demonstrates different techniques on my practice rock.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

Although the researchers have demonstrated that the plasma filament can transmit radio waves, its ability to receive signals and operate across a broad range of frequencies still needs to be tested.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 9, 2026

At the test track at Mira, the all-British creation silently demonstrated how a lightweight sports car can go from an idea to a vehicle in less than two years, helped by regional expertise.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

“Lincoln Nation conducted major combat operations, enforced naval blockade and demonstrated the presence and power of the carrier strike group and multiple numbered fleets, all while keeping up unprecedented operational tempo.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

A few small studies have demonstrated that pain is reduced, while others have not.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

For we discover that some of them always lived nobly and demonstrated great strength of character, yet nevertheless lost their empire or were killed by their own soldiers who plotted against them.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli

It found that D2 supplementation significantly reduced parathyroid hormone levels and produced a small increase in blood calcium, demonstrating that D2 continues to have meaningful biological effects even though it may reduce circulating D3.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026

“Moneyball” excoriated the bunt, demonstrating in great detail that trading a precious out for an extra 90 feet on the base paths reduces scoring.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

Cordova also shared an independent report the company commissioned from consulting firm Roux Associates, which he said “found no evidence in the administrative record ... demonstrating that the site adversely affects public health.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

Riot police have clashed with protesters as thousands of students demonstrating over education standards disrupted more than 700 schools in France on Friday.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

Sure enough, McLaggen, for reasons best known to himself, had pulled Peakes’s bat from him and appeared to be demonstrating how to hit a Bludger toward an oncoming Cadwallader.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• determine
• establish
• exhibit
• expose
• indicate
• manifest
• prove
• test
• testify to
• try
• validate