define

verb

de·​fine di-ˈfīn How to pronounce define (audio)
defined; defining

transitive verb

1
a
: to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of
whatever defines us as human
b
: to discover and set forth the meaning of (something, such as a word)
how the dictionary defines "grotesque"
c
computing : to create with established rules or parameters
define a window
define a procedure
2
a
: to fix or mark the limits of : demarcate
rigidly defined property lines
b
: to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline
the issues aren't too well defined
eyes defined by mascara
3
: characterize, distinguish
you define yourself by the choices you makeDenison Univ. Bull.
the moment that defined the campaign

intransitive verb

: to make a definition (see definition sense 1a)
definement noun
definer noun

Examples of define in a Sentence

a term that is difficult to define The government study seeks to define urban poverty. Her book aims to define acceptable social behavior. She believes that success should be defined in terms of health and happiness. That fence defines the far edge of the property.
Recent Examples on the Web At the time, executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s top negotiator, argued that defining actors as human beings would not be an effective protection against AI misuse. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 23 Mar. 2024 This left-right divide had long dominated the political landscape of the world, defining elections, public debates, and policies, even provoking violence and revolution. CBS News, 23 Mar. 2024 Those are defined as a sizable increase in population in suburbs within commuting distance of downtowns, where workers can ideally reap the benefits of extra space without racking up too far a commute. Jane Thier, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2024 At the same time, schools like LAUSD are struggling to get students to even write essays and attend school due to rampant absenteeism, which the US Department of Education defines as missing at least 15 days in a year. Emily Dreibelbis, PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024 In Los Angeles, neighborhoods north of the I-10 (effectively a historical redline) can be defined by their relationship to Hollywood. Boris Kachka, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 Infertility and Supplements Infertility is defined as not being able to conceive for one year (or longer). Casey Seiden, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024 However, in-kind contributions, defined as non-monetary contributions, as part of a campaign are acceptable, as long as a candidate's campaign literature doesn't list a party affiliation. Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024 Analysts believe Germany is now expected to enter a technical recession, defined as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 21 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'define.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diffinen, defynen, borrowed from Anglo-French definer, diffiner, borrowed (with conjugation change) from Medieval Latin dēfīnīre, diffīnīre (dif- by association with dif-, assimilated form of dis- dis-), going back to Latin dēfīnīre "to mark the limits of, determine, give an exact description of," from dē- de- + fīnīre "to mark out the boundaries of, limit" — more at finish entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of define was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near define

Cite this Entry

“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/define. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

define

verb
de·​fine di-ˈfīn How to pronounce define (audio)
defined; defining
1
a
: to determine the essential qualities of
define the idea of loyalty
define a circle
b
: to set forth the meaning of
define a word
c
: to specify (as a programming task) for a computer to use
define a procedure
2
a
: to fix or mark the limits of
the boundary was clearly defined
b
: to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline
the tree was well defined against the sky
your argument is not well defined
definable
-ˈfī-nə-bəl
adjective
definer noun
Etymology

Middle English definen "to define, mark the limits of," Latin definire (same meaning), from Latin de- "from, away" and finire "to limit," from finis "end, limit" — related to final, finish, infinity

More from Merriam-Webster on define

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