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

Police Scotland said the Possilpark demonstration on Saturday "dispersed without further issue" following the single arrest.

From BBC • Jul. 12, 2026

Less than three dozen people picketed outside of OpenAI’s offices, but the demonstration sparked a bitter feud on an effective altruist forum.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 12, 2026

An array of military jets, including the Blue Angels, the US Navy's flight demonstration squadron, flew over New York Harbor, some leaving red, white and blue contrails.

From Barron's • Jul. 4, 2026

As a demonstration of the technique, the team also created a measurement engine that can harvest energy from the act of making quantum measurements.

From Science Daily • Jul. 3, 2026

A police officer grabs Dr. King by the seat of his trousers and leads him to a paddy wagon during a demonstration in Birmingham, Alabama.

From "Because They Marched" by Russell Freedman

Related Words

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