What does define mean?

Definitions for define
dɪˈfaɪnde·fine

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word define.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. specify, define, delineate, delimit, delimitateverb

    determine the essential quality of

  2. defineverb

    give a definition for the meaning of a word

    "Define `sadness'"

  3. defineverb

    determine the nature of

    "What defines a good wine?"

  4. define, delineateverb

    show the form or outline of

    "The tree was clearly defined by the light"; "The camera could define the smallest object"

  5. specify, set, determine, define, fix, limitverb

    decide upon or fix definitely

    "fix the variables"; "specify the parameters"

Wiktionary

  1. defineverb

    To determine.

  2. defineverb

    To express the essential nature of something.

  3. defineverb

    To state the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol.

  4. defineverb

    To describe, explain, or make definite and clear.

  5. defineverb

    To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.

  6. Etymology: From definen, from definer, variant of definir, from definio, from de + finio

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. To DEFINEverb

    Etymology: definio, Lat. definir, French.

    Whose loss can’st thou mean,
    That do’st so well their miseries define? Philip Sidney, b. ii.

    Though defining be thought the proper way to make known the proper signification, yet there are some words that will not be defined. John Locke.

    When the rings, or some parts of them, appeared only black and white, they were very distinct and well defined, and the blackness seemed as intense as that of the central spot. Newt.

  2. To Defineverb

    To determine; to decide; to decree.

    The unjust judge is the capital remover of landmarks, when he defineth amiss of lands and properties. Francis Bacon, Ess. 57.

Wikipedia

  1. define

    A definition is a statement of the meaning of a term (a word, phrase, or other set of symbols). Definitions can be classified into two large categories: intensional definitions (which try to give the sense of a term), and extensional definitions (which try to list the objects that a term describes). Another important category of definitions is the class of ostensive definitions, which convey the meaning of a term by pointing out examples. A term may have many different senses and multiple meanings, and thus require multiple definitions.In mathematics, a definition is used to give a precise meaning to a new term, by describing a condition which unambiguously qualifies what a mathematical term is and is not. Definitions and axioms form the basis on which all of modern mathematics is to be constructed.

ChatGPT

  1. define

    To define means to describe or explain clearly and precisely the meaning, nature, boundaries, or essence of something. This could be a concept, word, object, subject, issue, etc. It entails setting out its characteristics specifically, enabling it to be recognized, distinguished, or understood.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Defineverb

    to fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end

  2. Defineverb

    to determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country

  3. Defineverb

    to determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument

  4. Defineverb

    to determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term

  5. Defineverb

    to determine; to decide

  6. Etymology: [OE. definer, usually, to end, to finish, F. dfinir to define, L. definire to limit, define; de- + finire to limit, end, finis boundary, limit, end. See Final, Finish.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Define

    de-fīn′, v.t. to fix the bounds or limits of: to determine with precision: to describe accurately: to fix the meaning of.—adj. Defin′able, that may be defined.—n. Define′ment (Shak.), description.—adj. Def′inite, defined: having distinct limits: fixed: exact: clear.—adv. Def′initely.—ns. Def′initeness; Defini′tion, a defining: a description of a thing by its properties: an explanation of the exact meaning of a word, term, or phrase.—adj. Defin′itive, defining or limiting: positive: final.—n. (gram.) an adjective used to limit the signification of a noun.—adv. Defin′itively.—ns. Defin′itiveness; Defin′itude, definitiveness. [Fr.,—L. definīre, -ītum, to set bounds to—de, finis, a limit.]

Editors Contribution

  1. define

    To create a definition for the meaning of a word.

    She did always define things simply and clearly.


    Submitted by MaryC on February 1, 2020  


  2. define

    To create an accurate and exact definition, meaning, term or reason.

    They did define the constitution easily and efficiently.


    Submitted by MaryC on February 20, 2020  


  3. define

    To create perfect, easy, accurate, specific, simple and just budgets, goals, law, legislation, objectives, plans, processes, procedures, rules, strategy, structures, systems, vision and treaties.

    The business management team had a team meeting for a complete working day to work together to create the business vision, goals, objectives, plans, processes, procedures, action.


    Submitted by MaryC on March 26, 2020  


  4. define

    To create specific, accurate, simple and just eligibility criteria, employees, expenditure, funding, guidelines, income, IT systems, liquidity, management, policies, resources and technology.

    The business management team had a team meeting for a complete working day to work together to create the business vision, goals, objectives, plans, processes, procedures, action.


    Submitted by MaryC on March 26, 2020  

Surnames Frequency by Census Records

  1. DEFINE

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Define is ranked #133863 in terms of the most common surnames in America.

    The Define surname appeared 126 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 would have the surname Define.

    99.9% or 126 total occurrences were White.

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'define' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #3960

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'define' in Written Corpus Frequency: #3382

  3. Verbs Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'define' in Verbs Frequency: #239

How to pronounce define?

How to say define in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of define in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of define in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of define in a Sentence

  1. Carey Baker:

    It shouldn't be that way, but that's how it is, they need to better define what they're attempting to regulate.

  2. Elizabeth Stuart Phelps:

    What an immense power over the life is the power of possessing distinct aims. The voice, the dress, the look, the very motions of a person, define and alter when he or she begins to live for a reason.

  3. Mark Levin:

    Judge Jackson, who's for all these radical things, you understand Senator Collins, that Judge Jackson cannot even define that you’re a woman? [Jackson] is not even close to a centrist or even a traditional liberal. She is a radical.

  4. President Hassan Rouhani:

    I hope we can define and codify political crimes during this government, with the cooperation of the judiciary, and put forward and approve a bill so it is clear what is a political or security crime.

  5. David Blond:

    What we like to do is something that really borders on fantasy and reality, it's a combination of costume and fashion. There really isn't a way to define it because for our clients, this is their work wardrobe ... It's not for the average person.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

define#1#2233#10000

Translations for define

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"define." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/define>.

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