demonstrate

American  

[dem-uhn-streyt] / ˈdɛm ənˌstreɪt /

verb (used with object)

• demonstrates,
  present (3rd person singular)
• demonstrated,
  past participle,  past
• demonstrating
  present participle

1. to make evident or establish by arguments or reasoning; prove.

   to demonstrate a philosophical principle.

   Synonyms:

   corroborate, verify, confirm, show

2. to describe, explain, or illustrate by examples, specimens, experiments, or the like.

   to demonstrate the force of gravity by dropping an object.

3. to manifest or exhibit; show.

   He demonstrated his courage by his actions in battle.

4. to display openly or publicly, as feelings.

   to demonstrate one's anger by slamming a door.

5. to exhibit the operation or use of (a device, process, product, or the like), usually to a purchaser or prospect.

   to demonstrate an automobile.

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verb (used without object)

• demonstrates,
  present (3rd person singular)
• demonstrated,
  past participle,  past
• demonstrating
  present participle

1. to make, give, or take part in, a demonstration.

   The pickets required a license to demonstrate.

2. Military. to attack or make a show of force to deceive an enemy.

demonstrate British  

/ ˈdɛmənˌstreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to show, manifest, or prove, esp by reasoning, evidence, etc

   it is easy to demonstrate the truth of this proposition

2. (tr) to evince; reveal the existence of

   the scheme later demonstrated a fatal flaw

3. (tr) to explain or illustrate by experiment, example, etc

4. (tr) to display, operate, and explain the workings of (a machine, product, etc)

5. (intr) to manifest support, protest, etc, by public parades or rallies

6. (intr) to be employed as a demonstrator of machinery, etc

7. (intr) military to make a show of force, esp in order to deceive one's enemy

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• redemonstrate
  verb
• predemonstrate
  verb (used with object)
• subdemonstrate
  verb (used with object)
• counterdemonstrate
  verb (used without object)
• undemonstrated
  adjective
• well-demonstrated
  adjective
• demonstratedly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• demonstrating
  present
• demonstrated
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• demonstrate
  simple
• demonstrates
  simple
• have demonstrated
  perfect
• has demonstrated
  perfect
• am demonstrating
  progressive
• are demonstrating
  progressive
• is demonstrating
  progressive
• have been demonstrating
  perfect progressive
• has been demonstrating
  perfect progressive

Past

• demonstrated
  simple
• had demonstrated
  perfect
• was demonstrating
  progressive
• were demonstrating
  progressive
• had been demonstrating
  perfect progressive

Future

• will demonstrate
  simple
• will have demonstrated
  perfect
• will be demonstrating
  progressive
• will have been demonstrating
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of demonstrate

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin dēmonstrātus, past participle of dēmonstrāre “to show, point out,” equivalent to dē- de- + monstrāre “to show,” verbal derivative of monstrum “sign, portent”; see origin at monster ( def. )

Explanation

When you demonstrate something, you show what it is or how it works. To demonstrate how your new juicer works, you should have lots of kale, carrots, and beets on hand — and some brave friends to try your concoction. Demonstrate comes from the Latin word demonstrare, meaning “to point out by argument or deduction.” To demonstrate a point you must make a valid argument and give examples of why you think it's true. Demonstrate can also refer to a public protest. You can demonstrate with your comrades by marching through the streets with homemade protest signs.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

demonstrate demonstrates demonstrated demonstrating

Air waybills, a cargo manifest and emails between logistics companies demonstrate how the strategy works.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

In Lady Beckham's case, the range also allowed her to demonstrate an enthusiasm which has become part of the brand's selling point.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

The Clippers said in a statement they cooperated fully with the investigation and will fight “to demonstrate our innocence.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

“Our results demonstrate the durability of our profitable growth momentum,” HPE CEO Antonio Neri said in a statement.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026

Dad would whistle assembly, take out his stopwatch, and demonstrate how quickly we could gather.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Can a repugnant act really dull the exquisite beauty of art, and if so, can that beauty return if the artist demonstrates remorse?

From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2026

“There isn’t any evidence that demonstrates this works,” Yasmin emphasizes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

Ochieng said the mutiny "demonstrates deep divisions and grievances within the security apparatus", in a country whose soldiers are "constantly in the line of fire, fighting militants".

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

This demonstrates its strong commitment to continuously enhance its shareholder value and returns, Shih says in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

This little episode demonstrates clearly what the preconditions are for priority disputes.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

“I understand that meaningful atonement is not achieved through an exhibition . . . It is a continuing responsibility, demonstrated through listening, learning and one’s conduct over time.”

From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2026

"We have demonstrated that when we are in a position to reduce tariffs, we do so without delay, and we hope to be able to do so again, once the global markets allow this."

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

Scientists had previously predicted an in-plane anomalous Hall effect in theory, but no experiment had successfully demonstrated it before this work.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 3, 2026

Still, the U.S. demonstrated in a giant international maritime drill in the Pacific this summer that it is working closely with Asian allies on military planning, with another three-way exercise between the U.S.,

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

Late in the program Cody himself demonstrated some fancy marksmanship, dashing around the arena on horseback while firing his Winchester at glass balls hurled into the air by his assistants.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

“He was disoriented, confused, dizzy, well before he collapsed. ... Matthew was demonstrating signs of a problem well before he collapsed, and they did nothing.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026

She's been known to post videos demonstrating her beauty products – often with wet hair, seemingly filmed in her bathroom.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

Starling gave the technology an opportunity to be tested under real conditions in orbit, demonstrating how advanced flight software can allow satellites to function as increasingly autonomous navigators.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026

“Not only did Paramount leak the alleged substance of settlement discussions, but they misrepresented these discussions, demonstrating a lack of good faith,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

At the same time, the ASL continued to increase both its membership and its influence by demonstrating its willingness to form an alliance with any organization that shared its one goal.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

• determine
• establish
• exhibit
• expose
• indicate
• manifest
• prove
• test
• testify to
• try
• validate