demonstration

American  

[dem-uhn-strey-shuhn] / ˌdɛm ənˈstreɪ ʃən /

noun

• demonstrations
  plural

1. the act or circumstance of proving or being proved conclusively, as by reasoning or a show of evidence.

   a belief incapable of demonstration.

2. something serving as proof or supporting evidence.

   They sent a check as a demonstration of their concern.

3. a description or explanation, as of a process, illustrated by examples, specimens, or the like.

   a demonstration of methods of refining ore.

4. the act of exhibiting the operation or use of a device, machine, process, product, or the like, as to a prospective buyer.

5. an exhibition, as of feeling; display; manifestation.

   His demonstration of affection was embarrassing.

6. a public exhibition of the attitude of a group of persons toward a controversial issue, or other matter, made by picketing, parading, etc.

7. a show of military force or of offensive operations made to deceive an enemy.

8. Mathematics. a logical presentation of the way in which given assumptions imply a certain result; proof.

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demonstration British  

/ ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of demonstrating

2. proof or evidence leading to proof

3. an explanation, display, illustration, or experiment showing how something works

4. a manifestation of grievances, support, or protest by public rallies, parades, etc

5. a manifestation of emotion

6. a show of military force or preparedness

7. maths a logical presentation of the assumptions and equations used in solving a problem or proving a theorem

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• counterdemonstration
  noun
• demonstrationist
  noun
• predemonstration
  noun
• redemonstration
  noun
• subdemonstration
  noun
• superdemonstration
  noun
• demonstrational
  adjective
• undemonstrational
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• demonstrations
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

demonstration demonstrations

It turned out to be an extraordinarily effective — but expensive — demonstration of why due process exists.

From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026

It is also a live demonstration of Dixon’s argument: When the rules change midstream, confusion does not merely accompany the process.

From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026

The demonstration came as the first round of US-backed talks between Venezuela's interim government and parts of the opposition was wrapping up.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

What followed might not have happened without that demonstration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

I follow her gaze back to the demonstration kitchen.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

After days of demonstrations in the city of Simara, the victim's family met government ministers, and secured a written agreement over the weekend.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

The demonstrations will additionally evaluate key avionics and power capabilities needed for future operations.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026

While demonstrations are largely over after achieving key demands, AFP looks at what the protests revealed -- and what could come next.

From Barron's ● Aug. 8, 2026

Federal law allows the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to set up such demonstrations to test new payment models, though they are supposed to be small-scale and seek to save money.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

After his electrifying performance at Woodstock, Country Joe was in demand at anti-war demonstrations and rallies, but he still loved playing small venues.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

Related Words

• expression
• manifestation
• presentation
• show
• test
• testimony
• trial