demonstration

American  

[dem-uhn-strey-shuhn] / ˌdɛm ənˈstreɪ ʃən /

noun

demonstrations plural

1. the act or circumstance of proving or being proved conclusively, as by reasoning or a show of evidence.

   a belief incapable of demonstration.

2. something serving as proof or supporting evidence.

   They sent a check as a demonstration of their concern.

3. a description or explanation, as of a process, illustrated by examples, specimens, or the like.

   a demonstration of methods of refining ore.

4. the act of exhibiting the operation or use of a device, machine, process, product, or the like, as to a prospective buyer.

5. an exhibition, as of feeling; display; manifestation.

   His demonstration of affection was embarrassing.

6. a public exhibition of the attitude of a group of persons toward a controversial issue, or other matter, made by picketing, parading, etc.

7. a show of military force or of offensive operations made to deceive an enemy.

8. Mathematics. a logical presentation of the way in which given assumptions imply a certain result; proof.

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demonstration British  

/ ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of demonstrating

2. proof or evidence leading to proof

3. an explanation, display, illustration, or experiment showing how something works

4. a manifestation of grievances, support, or protest by public rallies, parades, etc

5. a manifestation of emotion

6. a show of military force or preparedness

7. maths a logical presentation of the assumptions and equations used in solving a problem or proving a theorem

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• counterdemonstration
  noun
• demonstrationist
  noun
• predemonstration
  noun
• redemonstration
  noun
• subdemonstration
  noun
• superdemonstration
  noun
• demonstrational
  adjective
• undemonstrational
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• demonstrations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of demonstration

1325–75; Middle English demonstracioun < Latin dēmonstrātiōn- (stem of dēmonstrātiō, equivalent to dēmonstrāt ( us ) ( see demonstrate) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

A demonstration is a show, or display. If you are against war, you might go to an anti-war demonstration in front of the White House. You might need to see a demonstration of napkin folding before you take a job as a waitress. Dressing well for a job interview and showing up on time is considered a demonstration of your seriousness about the job. Crying is a demonstration of your feelings. If you sell website design you can make a demonstration site, or demo, so clients can see what they would get if they hired you.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

demonstration demonstrations

A demonstration by anti-immigration protesters began there an hour later.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

“It is another demonstration of Verizon’s more disciplined approach as the company structurally evolves its business model,” the company said in its earnings release.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

With him, I feel like the main reason why was that his wife was at the noise demonstration.

From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026

Instead of doing demonstration flights of the much-delayed 777X at the air show, Ortberg said he chose to keep the aircraft in the U.S. while it awaits safety certification from the Federal Aviation Administration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

For the segment, I would be interviewed by Ellen and then do a fencing demonstration with one of her producers.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

In fact, as soon as the demonstrations began, Zelensky announced that he would carefully listen to the public opinion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

While living aboard the orbiting laboratory, Williams contributed to numerous scientific studies and technology demonstrations.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026

Protest leaders said they would call off demonstrations after the government agreed to compensate families of students who took their lives.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

The movement has spread beyond the capital, with smaller demonstrations springing up Wednesday in major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru and Patna.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

His first call was to Lee DuBridge, a Caltech-trained physicist who had first met Lawrence in 1934 at one of the “vaudeville” demonstrations of radio-sodium.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• expression
• manifestation
• presentation
• show
• test
• testimony
• trial