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

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have demonstrated
  perfect
• has demonstrated
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have been demonstrating
  perfect progressive
• has been demonstrating
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• demonstrates
  singular 3rd person
• are demonstrating
  progressive
• is demonstrating
  progressive 3rd person singular
• demonstrating
  participle
• am demonstrating
  progressive 1st person singular

Past

• had demonstrated
  perfect
• had been demonstrating
  perfect progressive
• demonstrated
  participle
• were demonstrating
  progressive plural
• was demonstrating
  progressive singular
• demonstrated
  simple

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

Their testimonials on our website demonstrate that they are real, complex human beings, not caricatures.

From Salon • Jun. 8, 2026

Ellen Meade, an associate professor of economics at Duke University, said she thinks Warsh will want to demonstrate at his first press conference that there is a “new world” at the Fed.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

It’s that his “fixes” demonstrate a lack of understanding.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

His breakthrough came when Panchu Arunachalam, the writer-lyricist of Annakili, invited him to demonstrate his talent to the film's team.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

Leer nearly drowns trying to demonstrate a sausage.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque

Related Words

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