define

1 of 2

verb

de·​fine di-ˈfīn How to pronounce define (audio)
defined; defining
Synonyms of definenext

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 University 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

definer

2 of 2

noun

de·​fin·​er -nə(r) How to pronounce definer (audio)
plural -s
: one that defines

Synonyms of define

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of define in a Sentence

Verb 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
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Verb
The American story has always been defined by a willingness to challenge the status quo and invent something better. — Ashok N. Srivastava, Fortune, 3 July 2026 He was raised in a town just outside Bristol, England, taught that being the best version of yourself is defined by other people’s lenses. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026 The possibility of what could be different has powered many of its inventions and helped define its national identity. — Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post, 3 July 2026 That latter point, about the growing unaffordability of the things Allianz insures, has become a defining issue for his strategy. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for define

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

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

Rhymes for define

See All Rhymes for define

Browse Nearby Words

definable
define
definement
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/define. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

Verb

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

Nglish: Translation of define for Spanish Speakers

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