Showing results for "defining"

• present participle of define.

defining

American  

[dih-fahy-ning] / dɪˈfaɪ nɪŋ /

adjective

1. decisive; critically important.

   Taking a course in architecture was a defining turn in her life.

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Other Word Forms

• nondefining
  adjective
• self-defining
  adjective

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Explanation

Something defining is essential to what something is. A defining moment in your life helps makes you what you are. In the dictionary, definitions tell you what words mean, and the similar word defining has to do with what things are too. The defining characteristic of a chair is that you sit on it. The defining feature of food is you can eat it. People have defining features too: if you went to a summer camp and had an amazing time, it could be a defining time in your life. Defining things helps shape and mold us.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

defining

“With global investors rethinking their capital allocation strategies, this is a defining moment for Hong Kong’s markets,” said Bonnie Y Chan, chief executive of HKEX.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

Chief executive Simon Goodson called the acquisition a "defining moment" in the company's history.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

Prospective Speaker of the House Hakeem Jeffries on Wednesday marveled at the scale of Democrats' "incredible victory" in US congressional elections, singling out the high cost of living as the defining issue of the midterms.

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026

“Sir Patrick brought Professor Charles Xavier to life with extraordinary grace, intelligence and humanity, defining the character for generations of fans, from ‘X-Men’ to ‘Logan’ to ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’” Marvel Studios said in statement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026

She didn’t think Fielding was crude at all, or that Richardson was a fine psychologist, but she wasn’t going to be drawn in, defending, defining, attacking.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

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