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Synonyms

define

American

[dih-fahyn] / dɪˈfaɪn /

verb (used with object)

to state or set forth the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.).

They disagreed on how to define “liberal.”
to explain or identify the nature or essential qualities of; describe.

to define judicial functions.
to fix or lay down clearly and definitely; specify distinctly.

to define one's responsibilities.

Synonyms:

enumerate, detail, describe, name, state
to determine or fix the boundaries or extent of.

to define property with stakes.
to make clear the outline or form of.

The roof was boldly defined against the sky.

verb (used without object)

to set forth the meaning of a word, phrase, etc.; construct a definition.

define British

/ dɪˈfaɪn /

verb

to state precisely the meaning of (words, terms, etc)
to describe the nature, properties, or essential qualities of
to determine the boundary or extent of
(often passive) to delineate the form or outline of

the shape of the tree was clearly defined by the light behind it
to fix with precision; specify

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of define

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English def(f)inen, from Anglo-French, Old French definer “to put an end to,” from Latin dēfīnīre ”to limit, define,“ equivalent to dē- “from, away from, out of” + fīnīre “to end”; see origin at de-, finish

Explanation

If you can't define a word, turn to the dictionary. That's always the best way to learn the definition. Likewise, anything you can describe completely is something you can define. The early French and Latin roots of the verb mean something closer to "to limit" or "to create a boundary," but this is really what we do when we define something: we limit its meaning to something specific. So when you're thinking about the word define, remember that you're looking to create a boundary of meaning around it, whether you're specifying the meaning of a word or a larger concept. To define a word such as astronomy is to define both the word and the realm of science that it's concerned with.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing define

The Language of Standardized Tests, List 1

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

The ACT: The Language of the Test, List 1

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

define defines defined defining

The president’s son had undergone treatment to better define his jawline for the occasion.

From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026

“I think in that sense these characters do belong to everyone so I think that’s probably part of what’s going on. How I would define love I think is maybe immaterial.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

Since then, that development has extended far beyond a single hire, evolving into a team whose collective energy has come to define the store’s identity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

But he is adamant his previous spell should not define what happens this time.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

In a fifth-grade “reading for comprehension” lesson, students read a short passage and then were prompted to mine facts and define vocabulary words.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Instead, the research defines specific quantitative requirements that any proposed material, whether organic or inorganic, must meet.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 13, 2026

The work by Oxford University, which is published in the International Journal of Cancer, defines any drink at 65 degrees Celsuis or above as "very hot" and posing a potential risk.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

“Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement released by the team.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

There’s Mênis, which Nora defines as the anger of a society or a people.

From Salon ● Sep. 3, 2026

Then the effort to make good on that vow is what defines us as human beings.

From "Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science" by Marc Aronson

Positive responses were defined as receiving interview requests, a mix of phone and video screenings, positive email responses or assessments to be completed.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026

Poverty in the “richest” nation on the planet is defined at an annual income of $32,000 for a family of four, and $16,000 for a single person.

From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026

Artificially sweetened beverages were defined as low-calorie carbonated beverages.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026

Added Harvey Mason Jr., the academy’s CEO: “Not only has their music defined generations, but they’ve been equally exemplary in their dedication to humanitarian work and using their platform for good.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

The edges of the cloud are crisp and defined.

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

"That was definitely a defining moment in my life," he recalled.

From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026

Its defining achievement is ordered liberty: suspicion of ideological conceit, faith in common decency, respect for tradition and a preference for gradual change.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

Annemarie deserves the space to protect her peace, our children deserve the love and presence of both parents, and our family deserves the opportunity to move forward without conflict defining us.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

They appear at the corners of magnetic domain walls separating different spin arrangements, and their defining feature is their extremely limited mobility.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026

Race plays a major role—indeed, a defining role—in the current system, but not because of what is commonly understood as old-fashioned, hostile bigotry.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023