Definitions for definition
ˌdɛf əˈnɪʃ əndef·i·ni·tion

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.7 / 28 votes

1. definitionnoun

   a concise explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase or symbol

2. definitionnoun

   clarity of outline

   "exercise had given his muscles superior definition"

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.7 / 14 votes

1. definitionnoun

   A statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol (dictionary definitions).

2. definitionnoun

   A statement expressing the essential nature of something; formulation

3. definitionnoun

   The action or process of defining.

4. definitionnoun

   The act of defining; determination of the limits.

5. definitionnoun

   A product of defining.

6. definitionnoun

   The action or power of describing, explaining, or making definite and clear.

   Her comic genius is beyond definition.

7. definitionnoun

   Clarity of visual presentation, distinctness of outline or detail.

8. definitionnoun

   Clarity, especially of musical sound in reproduction.

9. definitionnoun

   Sharp demarcation of outlines or limits.

   A jacket with distinct waist definition.

10. definitionnoun

    The degree to which individual muscles are distinct on the body.

11. definitionnoun

    A statement which provides a previous delcaration with a value or body of a subroutine (in the case of function).

12. Etymology: From diffinicioun, from definition, from dēfīnītiō, from dēfīniō.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Definitionnoun

   Etymology: definitio, Latin; definition, French.

   1. A short description of a thing by its properties.

   I drew my definition of poetical wit from my particular consideration of him; for propriety of thoughts and words are only to be found in him; and, where they are proper, they will be delightful. Dryden.

   2. Decision; determination.3. [In logick.] The explication of the essence of a thing by its kind and difference.

   What is man? Not a reasonable animal merely; for that is not an adequate and distinguishing definition. Richard Bentley, Serm.

WikipediaRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Definition

   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.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. definition

   A definition is a statement or explanation that describes the meaning or interpretation of a word, term, concept, or idea. It typically provides clarity and understanding by outlining the essential characteristics or qualities that define a particular subject, enabling a common understanding among individuals or within a specific field of knowledge.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Definitionnoun

   the act of defining; determination of the limits; as, a telescope accurate in definition

2. Definitionnoun

   act of ascertaining and explaining the signification; a description of a thing by its properties; an explanation of the meaning of a word or term; as, the definition of "circle;" the definition of "wit;" an exact definition; a loose definition

3. Definitionnoun

   description; sort

4. Definitionnoun

   an exact enunciation of the constituents which make up the logical essence

5. Definitionnoun

   distinctness or clearness, as of an image formed by an optical instrument; precision in detail

FreebaseRate this definition:2.6 / 5 votes

1. Definition

   A definition is a statement that explains the meaning of a term. The term to be defined is the definiendum. The term may have many different senses and multiple meanings. For each meaning, a definiens is a cluster of words that defines that term. As an example: To successfully define the word "Vegan", the definiendum must be given a definiens. A definition will vary in aspects like precision or popularity. There are also different types of definitions with different purposes and focuses. A chief difficulty in the management of definitions is the necessity of using other terms that are already understood or whose definitions are easily obtainable or demonstrable. A dictionary definition typically contains additional details about a word, such as an etymology and the language or languages of its origin, or obsolete meanings.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:2.0 / 2 votes

1. definition

   To define or express the meaning of a word, term, creation, sign or symbol.

   Definition is so important when it comes to a dictionary or the gift of lexicography.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on January 27, 2020  

Matched Categories

1. • Distinctness
   • Explanation

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'definition' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2163

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'definition' in Written Corpus Frequency: #2390

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'definition' in Nouns Frequency: #760

How to pronounce definition?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say definition in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of definition in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of definition in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of definition in a Sentence

1. John Fitzgerald Kennedy:

   The full use of your powers along lines of excellence. - definition of happiness by John F. Kennedy.

2. Peter Sokolowski:

   It was a very new word at that time, his definition is not the definition that you and I would understand today. His definition was, ‘The qualities of females,’ so basically feminism to Noah Webster meant femaleness. We do see evidence that the word was used in the 19th century in a medical sense, for the physical characteristics of a developing teenager, before it was used as a political term, if you will.

3. Colin Goldman:

   Your definition of happiness is not your child’s definition of happiness.

4. Gore Vidal:

   Any American who is prepared to run for president should automatically, by definition, be disqualified from ever doing so.

5. David Fisman:

   One could change a case definition for sort of nefarious reasons to create the illusion that the epidemic is getting better. In this case, China did exactly the opposite, they broadened their case definition when they needed to, in order not to miss cases, and now that things are under control they're narrowing it down again to make it consistent to easier to keep track of what's really going on.

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