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

Rookie quarterback Ty Simpson, the 13th pick in the NFL draft, and Stetson Bennett will have plenty of opportunities to demonstrate whether they are capable of stepping in for Stafford during the season if necessary.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

That model “has been working against the company for years” but now “should demonstrate what the company can do as it returns from near-dead,” he wrote in his late Thursday report.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

The findings demonstrate how studying molecular contacts inside intact infected cells can reveal both where and how a virus takes control of human cellular machinery.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 21, 2026

We have to demonstrate the performance of this much longer, much slimmer wing in terms of reduced fuel consumption.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

I know how much my grandparents like to see us perform, so I stand extra tall, extend my arms, and demonstrate the shuffle hop step.

From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan

The study also demonstrates how artificial intelligence could change dream research.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026

Seth DuMouchel said that Carlos’ behavior demonstrates that she presents an ongoing danger to the community.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

This demonstrates the value of America’s lead, but it isn’t clear government has a better solution to the safety risks even as it threatens to turn the labs’ billion-dollar superintelligence bets into lose-lose propositions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

Kingscote believes the case demonstrates the need for a national approach to regulating high-risk cosmetic procedures.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

He demonstrates some tips his teacher showed him, and then shows me how to use the file in my grandpa's toolbox to sharpen the tiny teeth on the blade.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

National Science Foundation, the team demonstrated that two different colors of light could produce an organized flow of electrons through a semiconductor.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

Thanks to four years as vice president and two presidential bids, her name identification is universal, and she has demonstrated the ability to raise mounds of money.

From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026

The whistles and the mutual aid networks demonstrated that it did not.

From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026

Qualified and finished comfortably inside the points and brought home sixth on a day when his more experienced team-mate demonstrated how difficult the Red Bull was to drive.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

The woman demonstrated how to cut the cards and offered the deck to Alexander again.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Gutierrez said a candidate who is serious about demonstrating a commitment to good governance should be comprehensive in their financial disclosures and could divest from any stock holdings.

From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026

That work led to a 2000 article in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute demonstrating that HPV-related cases were very different from those related to tobacco or alcohol—and less deadly.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

Whether or not you have years of experience is less important than demonstrating that you can hit the ground running.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 8, 2026

He feels the later start is demonstrating "understanding and flexibility", and has seen an "influx of emails" from parents welcoming it as a "really lovely idea".

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

“And wave skirt,” Cassiopeia added, demonstrating with the torn curtain.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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