description
Americannoun
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a statement or account that describes; representation in words
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the act, process, or technique of describing
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sort, kind, or variety
reptiles of every description
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geometry the act of drawing a line or figure, such as an arc
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philosophy a noun phrase containing a predicate that may replace a name as the subject of a sentence
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing description
PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 4
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 3
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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.
“Welcome to this distinguished 19th-century townhouse, a true architectural gem located in the heart of Lenox Hill’s iconic Treadwell Farm Historic District,” the description states.
From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026
The description is the first public accounting by the Air Force on its efforts to overhaul the Boeing 747 as the president’s new ride.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026
Researchers provided the first detailed description and illustrations of the female internal genitalia of Pikelinia fasciata, a species first identified in 1902.
From Science Daily • May 1, 2026
Langdale KC suggested the description of Calocane in the records "obscured" his risk for anyone else reading them.
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026
Do the notes offer a description of the culture, values, customs, historical, geographic, and economic issues that may add to an understanding of the music?
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
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.
