demonstration
Americannoun
-
demonstrations
plural
-
the act or circumstance of proving or being proved conclusively, as by reasoning or a show of evidence.
a belief incapable of demonstration.
-
something serving as proof or supporting evidence.
They sent a check as a demonstration of their concern.
-
a description or explanation, as of a process, illustrated by examples, specimens, or the like.
a demonstration of methods of refining ore.
-
the act of exhibiting the operation or use of a device, machine, process, product, or the like, as to a prospective buyer.
-
an exhibition, as of feeling; display; manifestation.
His demonstration of affection was embarrassing.
-
a public exhibition of the attitude of a group of persons toward a controversial issue, or other matter, made by picketing, parading, etc.
-
a show of military force or of offensive operations made to deceive an enemy.
-
Mathematics. a logical presentation of the way in which given assumptions imply a certain result; proof.
noun
-
the act of demonstrating
-
proof or evidence leading to proof
-
an explanation, display, illustration, or experiment showing how something works
-
a manifestation of grievances, support, or protest by public rallies, parades, etc
-
a manifestation of emotion
-
a show of military force or preparedness
-
maths a logical presentation of the assumptions and equations used in solving a problem or proving a theorem
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
counterdemonstrationnoun
-
demonstrationistnoun
-
predemonstrationnoun
-
redemonstrationnoun
-
subdemonstrationnoun
-
superdemonstrationnoun
-
demonstrationaladjective
-
undemonstrationaladjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of demonstration
1325–75; Middle English demonstracioun < Latin dēmonstrātiōn- (stem of dēmonstrātiō, equivalent to dēmonstrāt ( us ) ( see demonstrate) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
A demonstration is a show, or display. If you are against war, you might go to an anti-war demonstration in front of the White House. You might need to see a demonstration of napkin folding before you take a job as a waitress. Dressing well for a job interview and showing up on time is considered a demonstration of your seriousness about the job. Crying is a demonstration of your feelings. If you sell website design you can make a demonstration site, or demo, so clients can see what they would get if they hired you.
Vocabulary lists containing demonstration
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech (1963)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Academic Vocabulary Toolkit 1, Words 31-40
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Twelve Days in May
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
During one of Musk’s visits in 2016, Brown watched in panic as Musk savaged a demonstration from a legendary researcher.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
A robot that impresses in a demonstration still has to work reliably for enough hours to justify its price and upkeep.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
Intentionally or not, then, John’s ultimate choice to let Noah live and keep Kerry’s culpability in Hal’s death a secret is a demonstration of empathy’s bravery.
From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026
Pacific Link is "a demonstration of the power of Canada", said Carney, speaking from Fort McMurray, Alberta, when asked if he had a message for the province.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
She doesn’t have to say any more for me to understand the meaning of her demonstration.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
The incident sparked demonstrations across the city, including a Friday march from Foley Square to federal immigration offices in Manhattan.
From Salon ● Oct. 10, 2026
Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach party posted a video of himself and fellow protest leaders being taken into custody on their arrival at New Delhi’s airport to join the demonstrations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026
Police are investigating the demonstrations in a "large-scale" criminal inquiry.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
Several children have been seriously injured during protests in France, as high school pupils demand better conditions and police crack down on their demonstrations.
From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026
“We’re trick-or-treating. Trick-or-treating is for candy and demonstrations are for things like Peace and Freedom. It’s different.”
From "The Egypt Game" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
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.
