define

verb

di-ˈfīn How to pronounce define (audio)
Definition of definenext
1
as in to trace
to draw or make apparent the outline of the glass skyscraper's sleek silhouette was strikingly defined by the setting sun to its west

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2
as in to describe
to mark the limits of the river defines the town on the south

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3
as in to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group a woman who is defined by her unswerving loyalty to her friends

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4
as in to specify
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly let me define the task so that there is no doubt in your minds about what needs to be done

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of define Refusing to let cancer define her future, Cooke compares her mental approach to preparing for a fight. — Tania Francois, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Holistic approach The mill does not define sustainability by a seasonal collection or a single technology. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Open interest, defined by Hyperliquid as the sum of long and short positions on a contract, is more than five times bigger in Anthropic than OpenAI — more than $41 million, compared to less than $7 million in OpenAI. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 The withdrawal of affection that defined both my parents’ childhoods was a common story in Chinese culture. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
  1. trace
  2. describe
  3. characterize
  4. specify
  5. outline
  6. limit
  7. portray
  8. delineate
Verb
  • Tan plans to trace those shifts through small moments, such as a family dinner, a conversation, a silence or the absence of something once there.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Its approach is not to reproduce traditional culture literally, but to trace specific cultural sources and translate them into contemporary experiences.
    — Li Jun, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of trace
Verb
  • With a laser on board, a cargo-carrying vehicle can defend itself against drones during resupply runs, a role Rheinmetall has described as protection for autonomous logistics missions.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Warsh described the global shift toward tighter monetary policy as a common fight on prices.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of describe
Verb
  • Adam Hamilton Hamilton, the Democratic nominee, has characterized the war as a major foreign policy blunder.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Shigella bacteria cause shigellosis, an illness characterized by severe diarrhea, that is sometimes bloody or prolonged, and fever.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of characterize
Verb
  • The memo does not specify how the restrictions would apply to prediction market platforms.
    — Jessica Golden,Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • However, the latest contract announcement does not specify which features are being developed for this customer.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of specify
Verb
  • Minutes from the April 19 meeting outlined how the government opted for just one round of readiness checks before launching its emergency vaccination program due to time constraints, instead of the typical four rounds.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Trump’s post outlining a clear plan for construction complicates a federal court hearing scheduled for Monday in a lawsuit filed by the DC Preservation League and two golfers opposing the construction.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of outline
Verb
  • The fences are required so that access is limited along the highway.
    — Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • That move also let Apple Home work with more devices from more manufacturers (previously, it was limited to those willing to go through the often arduous HomeKit approval process).
    — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of limit
Verb
  • Rogers has increasingly portrayed El-Sayed as an extremist and a threat to Jewish voters as the Republican tries to win over a traditionally Democratic constituency.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Landon starred as the Ingalls family patriarch, Charles, Karen Grassle played his wife, Caroline, and Gilbert portrayed their daughter, Laura.
    — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of portray
Verb
  • The new plan delineates rough land-use areas, not specific buildings or footprints.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The group story isn’t delineated with enough dramatic nuance.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of delineate

Browse Nearby Words

definable
define
defined
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Cite this Entry

“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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