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.

---

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

---

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

"The demonstration mission will set the stage before our next giant leap. NASA's expertise in systems engineering and integration, as well as launch and mission operations in low Earth orbit, will bring the mission together."

From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026

Musk continued to tease a future demonstration of Tesla’s third-generation Optimus robot, which he previously said would be demonstrated in the first quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

The demonstration ended with another short prayer service and then the crowd drifted off slowly, the mourners reluctant to separate on the sorrowful day.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

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

Somaya Korde was detained at home after urging people online to join a 20 July protest in Mumbai, but went on to attend multiple demonstrations in the days that followed.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

Those demonstrations also featured a veteran activist on a hunger strike.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

The San Francisco Bay Area was a constant flash point for demonstrations and marches against the war.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

Related Words

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