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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 make Denison Univ. Bull.
the moment that defined the campaign

intransitive verb

: to make a definition (see definition sense 1a)
definement
di-ˈfīn-mənt How to pronounce define (audio)
noun
definer
di-ˈfī-nər How to pronounce define (audio)
noun

Synonyms

Example Sentences

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 The game was restarted — twice — during what even the players struggle to define as errors by the officials or an outright attempt to cheat them. Brian Mahoney, Baltimore Sun, 9 Sep. 2022 Among the dozens of photographs from the Fairchild archives on display are pictures spotlighting several musical luminaries who helped shape and define New York fashion over the decades. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 9 Sep. 2022 Bolivia and Ecuador also define themselves as plurinational. BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2022 Some define it as an intangible asset described as the soul of the company. Danielle Abril, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Sep. 2022 For the sake of their study, the CDC researchers define long Covid as involving symptoms four or more weeks after a Covid-19 diagnosis. Jen Christensen, CNN, 5 Aug. 2022 Some define it as two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth, no matter what other indicators—like a strong labor market—say about the economy. Christine Mui, Fortune, 29 July 2022 Medical experts define miscarriage as a pregnancy that ends naturally before 20 weeks’ gestation. New York Times, 17 July 2022 Marcel’s smallness and cuteness don’t define him, in other words. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 June 2022 See More

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

Phrases Containing define

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