description

American  

[dih-skrip-shuhn] / dɪˈskrɪp ʃən /

noun

1. a statement, picture in words, or account that describes; descriptive representation.

2. the act or method of describing.

3. sort; kind; variety.

   dogs of every description.

   Synonyms:

   ilk, condition, character, nature, species

4. Geometry. the act or process of describing a figure.

---

description British  

/ dɪˈskrɪpʃən /

noun

1. a statement or account that describes; representation in words

2. the act, process, or technique of describing

3. sort, kind, or variety

   reptiles of every description

4. geometry the act of drawing a line or figure, such as an arc

5. philosophy a noun phrase containing a predicate that may replace a name as the subject of a sentence

---

description Idioms  

1. see beggar description.

---

Other Word Forms

• predescription noun
• redescription noun
• self-description noun

Etymology

Origin of description

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English descripcioun, from Latin dēscrīptiōn-, stem of dēscrīptiō, from dēscrīpt(us) “described” (past participle of dēscrībere “to copy, draw, transcribe”; see describe) + -iō -ion

Explanation

A description puts something in words, like a portrait puts a person in paint. The lawnmower you came home with did not quite fit the description of the dishwasher you went shopping for. The root for description is the Latin word descriptio, meaning “to write down.” The “script” in description tells you that a good description makes what it describes come to life, like a script for a movie. Your description of that fudge almond swirl ice cream was so good I could taste it! Unfortunately, I'm allergic to nuts.

Example Sentences

The refusal letter notes the use of similar or identical language in the description of goods in Back9’s trademark application, which was filed in May 2021 and approved a year later.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Riot police were deployed on Wednesday evening after people took to the streets demanding a description of the suspects.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

That description chimes with where markets are positioned if the lens is widened to a six-month view: stocks are just a 70 points higher than they were on Oct.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

This means a quantum system can appear memoryless in one description but show clear signs of memory in another.

From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026

“This first part tells of the voyage. There are lists of provisions, a description of the crew and the ship.”

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• characterization
• confession
• definition
• depiction
• detail
• explanation
• information
• narration
• narrative
• picture
• portrayal
• report
• sketch
• statement
• story
• summary
• tale
• version