demonstrate

American  

[dem-uhn-streyt] / 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

While two significant studies have been carried out in Scotland over the past 25 years, neither has been long-term or consistent and he believes events of the summer demonstrate the need for improved understanding.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

“It treats the Government’s stay application as if the whole point is merely to demonstrate that the Plaintiff States’ claims are not justiciable.

From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2026

Shook Research said it is taking steps to further strengthen and demonstrate the independence of its rankings, and some of those efforts have been in the works since earlier this year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

Vegetarian food influencers demonstrate non-meat ways to increase protein in everyday meals with Greek yogurt, beans and cottage cheese.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026

I had to watch the older kids demonstrate more than once.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

The machine demonstrates "wall-following" behavior that can appear purposeful.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026

Edwards’s chart above demonstrates that, other than in the immediate aftermath of recessions, analyst optimism about earnings was only ever as high as this summer back in 1987.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026

That contrast demonstrates the light-switch - or waxing and waning effect - that can be postpartum psychosis, experts told the BBC.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

While Waymo has had success in San Francisco that demonstrates strong product-market fit, a broader AV ecosystem is emerging as Uber partners with WeRide, Pony.ai and other AV players, the analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

That outcome also demonstrates that Native Americans were not constrained by cultural conservativism and were quite able to appreciate a good plant when they saw it.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Its effectiveness was demonstrated during a large fire near Melvich, Sutherland, in 2019 which reached an area that had been re-wetted 20 years earlier.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

“We have clearly demonstrated our ability to adapt and do more with less,” said John Entsminger, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

The concern is that smuggling gangs will continue to adapt but Eastaugh told the BBC that changes to their methods demonstrated how hard they are finding it to operate.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

The organic sales growth demonstrated the gap between it and peers, Citi’s Ranulf Orr wrote, with the print 50% ahead of Novonesis’ closest peer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

As he had hoped, the case demonstrated to many around the country the need for a national, more professional, scientifically skilled force.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

“Not only did Paramount leak the alleged substance of the settlement discussions, but they misrepresented these discussions, demonstrating a lack of good faith,” Bonta said on Monday, noting: “I have pulled down this meeting.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

“He’s demonstrating his readiness to become the new opposition leader,” Fesenko said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

Also include a clear record of inspections and previous repairs, demonstrating that the damage was not caused by ongoing neglect.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026

"By demonstrating that geometry alone can reshape electrical behavior in graphene, we open a new pathway for designing materials whose properties can be controlled through structure rather than chemistry."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026

Professionals encourage and support environments that produce trust by demonstrating integrity through ethical and inclusive decision-making.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

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