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 makeDenison Univ. Bull.
the moment that defined the campaign

intransitive verb

: to make a definition (see definition sense 1a)
definement noun
definer noun

Examples of define in a Sentence

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 weather service defines a marginal risk as conditions where isolated severe storms are possible, the weather service said in a post on X earlier this month. Remington Miller, arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2024 Pushing past fears or powerful messages that define us and going against societal constraints is not painless. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 There have been decades of music defined by incredible women dominating the charts, but behind the scenes women have often been pushed aside and prevented from reaching the same career heights while typically white, male executives have profited from our labor. Katie Bain, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024 Premature menopause is defined by the Mayo Clinic as reaching menopause before the age of 40. Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024 Transatlantic and other lengthy, ocean crossings once defined sea travel, but in modern times only one true ocean liner remains. David Nikel, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The backdrops for these two visits help define two visions of the American immigration system. USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024 Girls With Bad Reputations is a tale of how to reinvent yourself while still honoring your past, speaking to the ways in which our histories can inform us without defining us. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024 The National Weather Service defines winter as the months of December, January and February. Journal Sentinel, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'define.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near define

Cite this Entry

“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/define. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

define

verb
de·​fine di-ˈfīn How to pronounce define (audio)
defined; defining
1
a
: to determine the essential qualities of
define the idea of loyalty
define a circle
b
: to set forth the meaning of
define a word
c
: to specify (as a programming task) for a computer to use
define a procedure
2
a
: to fix or mark the limits of
the boundary was clearly defined
b
: to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline
the tree was well defined against the sky
your argument is not well defined
definable
-ˈfī-nə-bəl
adjective
definer noun
Etymology

Middle English definen "to define, mark the limits of," Latin definire (same meaning), from Latin de- "from, away" and finire "to limit," from finis "end, limit" — related to final, finish, infinity

More from Merriam-Webster on define

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