demarcation
noun
de·mar·ca·tion
ˌdē-ˌmär-ˈkā-shən 
plural demarcations
1
: the marking of the limits or boundaries of something : the act, process, or result of demarcating something
the demarcation of property lines
2
: something that marks or constitutes a boundary
a demarcation line
: a marked or perceived distinction between one area, category, etc., and another
The ability to test a theory against physical evidence … has provided a useful demarcation between science and pseudoscience.—
Norriss S. Hetherington
Norriss S. HetheringtonCertainly no clear line of demarcation has as yet been drawn between species and sub-species—that is, the forms which in the opinion of some naturalists come very near to, but do not quite arrive at the rank of species.—Charles Darwin
Charles DarwinThere has been much chatter in recent seasons about the great gender crossover, that deliberate erosion on the runways of a once-rigid demarcation between conventionally feminine and masculine clothes.—Elizabeth Paton
Elizabeth Paton… the continued presence in the modern imagination of a sharp demarcation between public and private space.—AAG Abstracts
AAG AbstractsSynonyms
Examples of demarcation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Four members of a United Nations peacekeeping team were injured in a blast in southern Lebanon, near a contentious demarcation line shared with Israel, the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement.
—Kelly Kasulis Cho, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
The line of demarcation was clear in the 2019 postseason.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2024
Lebanon can carry out negotiations with Israel on border demarcation before a cease-fire in Gaza, according to an official with knowledge of the talks, since that condition was set by Hezbollah, not the government.
—John Hudson, Washington Post, 19 Jan. 2024
But in the absence of a diplomatic solution to the remaining issues relating to border demarcation and the corridor, a new war could carve up Armenia.
—Olesya Vartanyan, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2023
In the modern day, a multitude of theories abound as to why this line of demarcation fizzled.
—Hampton Bourne, Field & Stream, 22 Nov. 2023
When Robb Report created its Car of the Year contest 21 years ago, categories such as Sports Car, Convertible, GT, and Sedan were clear demarcations of a vehicle’s purpose and capability.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2024
After Israel’s full withdrawal from the country in 2000, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, spread out along the Blue Line, a temporary border demarcation.
—John Hudson, Washington Post, 19 Jan. 2024
For over two years, the two countries have tried to discuss the demarcation of their joint border, both bilaterally and with the participation of Western officials.
—Olesya Vartanyan, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2023
Kelly Kasulis Cho, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
The line of demarcation was clear in the 2019 postseason.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2024
Lebanon can carry out negotiations with Israel on border demarcation before a cease-fire in Gaza, according to an official with knowledge of the talks, since that condition was set by Hezbollah, not the government.
—John Hudson, Washington Post, 19 Jan. 2024
But in the absence of a diplomatic solution to the remaining issues relating to border demarcation and the corridor, a new war could carve up Armenia.
—Olesya Vartanyan, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2023
In the modern day, a multitude of theories abound as to why this line of demarcation fizzled.
—Hampton Bourne, Field & Stream, 22 Nov. 2023
When Robb Report created its Car of the Year contest 21 years ago, categories such as Sports Car, Convertible, GT, and Sedan were clear demarcations of a vehicle’s purpose and capability.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2024
After Israel’s full withdrawal from the country in 2000, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, spread out along the Blue Line, a temporary border demarcation.
—John Hudson, Washington Post, 19 Jan. 2024
For over two years, the two countries have tried to discuss the demarcation of their joint border, both bilaterally and with the participation of Western officials.
—Olesya Vartanyan, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'demarcation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near demarcation
Cite this Entry
“Demarcation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demarcation. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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