demonstrate

[ dem-uhn-streyt ]
See synonyms for: demonstratedemonstrateddemonstratesdemonstrating on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),dem·on·strat·ed, dem·on·strat·ing.
  1. to make evident or establish by arguments or reasoning; prove: to demonstrate a philosophical principle.

  2. to describe, explain, or illustrate by examples, specimens, experiments, or the like: to demonstrate the force of gravity by dropping an object.

  1. to manifest or exhibit; show: He demonstrated his courage by his actions in battle.

  2. to display openly or publicly, as feelings: to demonstrate one's anger by slamming a door.

  3. to exhibit the operation or use of (a device, process, product, or the like), usually to a purchaser or prospect: to demonstrate an automobile.

verb (used without object),dem·on·strat·ed, dem·on·strat·ing.
  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.

Origin of demonstrate

1
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

Other words for demonstrate

Other words from demonstrate

  • dem·on·strat·ed·ly, adverb
  • coun·ter·dem·on·strate, verb (used without object), coun·ter·dem·on·strat·ed, coun·ter·dem·on·strat·ing.
  • pre·dem·on·strate, verb (used with object), pre·dem·on·strat·ed, pre·dem·on·strat·ing.
  • re·dem·on·strate, verb, re·dem·on·strat·ed, re·dem·on·strat·ing.
  • sub·dem·on·strate, verb (used with object), sub·dem·on·strat·ed, sub·dem·on·strat·ing.
  • un·dem·on·strat·ed, adjective
  • well-dem·on·strat·ed, adjective

Words Nearby demonstrate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use demonstrate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for demonstrate

demonstrate

/ (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

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

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

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

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

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

Origin of demonstrate

1
C16: from Latin dēmonstrāre to point out, from monstrāre to show

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012