define

de·fine

Use define in a sentence

verb

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.

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MLA Style

"define." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Define>.

APA Style

define. (n.d.). Retrieved February 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Define

define

transitive verb

-·fined′, -·fin′ing

1. to determine or set down the boundaries of
2. to trace the precise outlines of; delineate
to determine or state the extent and nature of; describe exactly: define your duties
1. to give the distinguishing characteristics of
2. to constitute the distinction of; differentiate: reason defines man
to state the meaning or meanings of (as a word)

Origin of define

Middle English diffinen from Old French definer and Medieval Latin diffinire, both from Classical Latin definire, to limit, define from de-, from + finire, to set a limit to, bound: see finish

to prepare definitions, as of words

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"define." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Define>.

APA Style

define. (n.d.). Retrieved February 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Define

define

verb

de·fined, de·fin·ing, de·fines

verb

transitive

a. To state the precise meaning of (a word or sense of a word, for example).
b. 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.
a. To make clear the outline or form of; delineate: gentle hills that were defined against the sky.
b. To specify distinctly: define the weapons to be used in limited warfare.
To give form or meaning to: “For him, a life is defined by action” ( Jay Parini )

verb

intransitive

To make or write a definition.

Origin of define

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

Related Forms:

de·fin′a·bil′i·ty
noun

de·fin′a·ble
adjective

de·fin′a·bly
adverb

de·fine′ment
noun

de·fin′er
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"define." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Define>.

APA Style

define. (n.d.). Retrieved February 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Define

Verb

(third-person singular simple present defines, present participle defining, simple past and past participle defined)

To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.
the defining power of an optical instrument
To express the essential nature of something.
I define myself as a techno-anarchist.
To state the meaning of a word, phrase, sign, or symbol.
The textbook defined speed as velocity divided by time.
To describe, explain, or make definite and clear.
To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.
to define the legal boundaries of a property
(mathematics) To establish the referent of a term or notation.

Noun

(plural defines)

(computing, programming) A kind of macro in source code that replaces one text string with another wherever it occurs.

Anagrams

infeed

Origin

From Middle English definen, from Old French definer, variant of definir, from Latin dēfīniō (“limit, settle, define”), from dē + fīniō (“set a limit, bound, end”)

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.