define
verb (used with object)
to state or set forth the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.).
has been defining
-
present perfect progressiveof define (3rd person singular).present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
The actor said the length of time he has played Shelby has been "defining" for him.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2025
Another complication with tracking the donations has been defining what ‘racial equity funding’ really means.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 15, 2021
Chappelle was of course mainly there to be himself — much of the work of his career has been defining just who that is — and he did exactly that in a 16-minute opening monologue.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 8, 2020
CalSTRS has been defining diversity to date as relating to “skills, background, experience, age, gender, cultural and ethnic composition.”
From Forbes ● Feb. 20, 2015
And it has Murray, who, ever since his debut on Saturday Night Live in 1976, has been defining the would-be-hip U.S. male -- the frat fellow with wit.
From Time Magazine Archive
