demonstrate

American  

[dem-uhn-strayt] / 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

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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. )

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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

It’s not that Microsoft isn’t focused on driving business efficiencies, but it’s also working to demonstrate “product excellence” and appeal to its customers more and more.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026

And, as the Eagles now demonstrate, even if the plan succeeds and leads to a shower of confetti, they still have to pay the check.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

The notice also said the application had failed to demonstrate the planned rollercoaster testing depot could operate without negatively impacting its neighbours and the planned use had "potential to generate significant noise".

From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026

We should want our politicians to demonstrate both strength and vulnerability.

From Slate ● Oct. 26, 2026

Sometimes he’d interrupt a bout and push one fencer to the side so he could demonstrate exactly how an action was done.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

"It demonstrates a willingness to look beyond individual care tasks and acknowledges the broader reality of providing care to an elderly relative, including the continuous supervision, responsibility and restrictions on personal freedom," she said.

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026

“It demonstrates that we can continue to bring antibody-drug conjugates into areas where classic chemotherapy has historically been the standard of care,” the head of AstraZeneca’s oncology business, David Fredrickson, said in an interview.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

The finding demonstrates that freshwater cave snails can inhabit limestone cave systems at elevations above 2,000 meters.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2026

It also demonstrates the growing power of quantum simulation, a technique that allows scientists to use carefully controlled quantum systems to investigate physical behavior that would otherwise be difficult to reproduce or study.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026

The fact that the insecticide was applied in very low concentrations is meaningless, as its explosive progress through the natural food chain in the lake demonstrates.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

They demonstrated their hunting prowess which involves trapping animals in netting set up around the jungle.

From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026

For the second straight game, he demonstrated a connection with star receiver Malik Nabers, and his success through the air breathed life into the Giants’ subpar ground attack.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

By correcting a key source of errors, the researchers have demonstrated a promising approach for operating more qubits through shared microwave control lines.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026

The studio’s films have historically demonstrated strong theatrical staying power, with its five previous features averaging around 3.6 times their opening weekend domestically, according to Fathom.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026

Ms. Wockley demonstrated, and it took everything in both boys to not crack up.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds

These initial results were consistent with earlier studies demonstrating the blood pressure benefits of isometric exercise.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 27, 2026

Air strikes have achieved impressive results while also demonstrating clear limits.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

Throughout the mid-1990s and 2000s, a series of cyberattacks rocked the federal government, demonstrating the emerging threat.

From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2026

The 67-year-old sportscaster didn’t actually injure himself demonstrating the so-called “Peanut” punch with CBS broadcast booth partner J.J.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026

The Southern struggle had grown from a modest group of black students demonstrating peacefully at one lunch counter to the largest mass movement for racial reform and civil rights in the twentieth century.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

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Related Words

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

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