description

[ dih-skrip-shuhn ]

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

/ 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

Other Words From

• prede·scription noun
• rede·scription noun
• self-de·scription noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of description¹

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”; describe ) + -iō -ion

Idioms and Phrases

see beggar description .

Example Sentences

Some of the products have “Italian” in their name others have “Italian” in their description.

From BBC

While Wilson is focused on sex and discomforting descriptions of what he sees as women's sexual obligations to men, his demeaning attitudes about women expand beyond the bedroom.

From Salon

That may sound just like the simplest description of entanglement, where two individual particles can know about one another no matter how far apart they are.

From Science Daily

While any large hole that opens up in the ground tends to be dubbed a sinkhole, this catch-all term is not always an accurate description.

From BBC

Anna Howells, content creator for Spurs XY and long-suffering Tottenham fan, bristles at the term 'Spursy' being used about her team - but admits it is an apt description.

From BBC

Related Words

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