Showing results for "defining"

• present participle of define.

defining

American  

[dih-fahy-ning] / dɪˈfaɪ nɪŋ /

adjective

1. decisive; critically important.

   Taking a course in architecture was a defining turn in her life.

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Other Word Forms

• nondefining
  adjective
• self-defining
  adjective

Explanation

Something defining is essential to what something is. A defining moment in your life helps makes you what you are. In the dictionary, definitions tell you what words mean, and the similar word defining has to do with what things are too. The defining characteristic of a chair is that you sit on it. The defining feature of food is you can eat it. People have defining features too: if you went to a summer camp and had an amazing time, it could be a defining time in your life. Defining things helps shape and mold us.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

defining

That last one is how John solves the season’s overarching mystery, settling one of the story’s defining and tormented relationships into a peaceful place.

From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026

It tells the stories of 21 defining matches in his playing and managerial career, revealing fresh insights into his journey from working-class Glasgow to dominating the English game - and Europe - as United boss.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

Other officials haven’t gone as far in defining the attack.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

Mazzini and Nathan Shunk, a third-year Ph.D. student, recently published a study defining "vertical marine heatwaves" and developing a classification system for them in the Bay.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 30, 2026

The view to either side was of a sort of tunnel with cells defining one wall and a mesh fence overlooking the flats the other.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover