Define meaning

dĭ-fīn'
To make or write a definition.
verb
4
2
The definition of define is to describe the meaning or character of something.

An example of define is when you tell someone what a word means.

An example of define is when you set clear rules for living in your house.

verb
3
3
To determine or state the extent and nature of; describe exactly.

Define your duties.

verb
1
1
To state the meaning or meanings of (as a word)
verb
1
1
To determine or set down the boundaries of.
verb
0
1
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To give the distinguishing characteristics of.
verb
0
1
To constitute the distinction of; differentiate.

Reason defines man.

verb
0
1
To prepare definitions, as of words.
verb
0
1
To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.

The defining power of an optical instrument.

verb
0
1
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To express the essential nature of something.

I define myself as a techno-anarchist.

verb
0
1
To state the meaning of a word, phrase, sign, or symbol.

The textbook defined speed as velocity divided by time.

verb
0
1
To describe, explain, or make definite and clear.
verb
0
1
To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.

To define the legal boundaries of a property.

verb
0
1
(mathematics) To establish the referent of a term or notation.
verb
0
1
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(computing, programming) A kind of macro in source code that replaces one text string with another wherever it occurs.
noun
0
1
To give form or meaning to.
verb
0
2
To state the precise meaning of (a word or sense of a word, for example).
verb
0
2
To describe the nature or basic qualities of; explain.

Define the properties of a new drug; a study that defines people according to their median incomes.

verb
0
2
To make clear the outline or form of; delineate.

Gentle hills that were defined against the sky.

verb
0
2
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To specify distinctly.

Define the weapons to be used in limited warfare.

verb
0
2
To trace the precise outlines of; delineate.
verb
0
2

Origin of define

Middle English definen, diffinen from Old French definir, diffiner from Latin dēfīnīre to limit, determine dē- intensive pref. de– fīnis boundary, limit

Sentence Examples

  • The child's eagerness and interest carry her over many obstacles that would be our undoing if we stopped to define and explain everything.

  • It will not be welfare (or, at least depending on how you define the term, it will not be perceived as welfare).

  • To discover and define those laws is the problem of history.

  • It is then possible to define by a parallel elaboration what is meant by classes of classes, classes of relations, relations between classes, and so on.

  • The Spanish and Portuguese crowns attempted to define the limits between their American colonies in 1750 and 1777, and the lines adopted still serve in great part to separate Brazil from its neighbours.

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Words near define in the Dictionary