high-definition

adjective

high-def·​i·​ni·​tion ˈhī-ˌde-fə-ˈni-shən How to pronounce high-definition (audio)
: being or relating to an often digital television system that has either 720 or 1080 scan lines per frame and a wide-screen format
high definition noun
a program broadcast in high definition

Examples of high-definition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The upgrades included a high-definition video board, ribbon boards and boosts to audio and lighting. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026 Thousands of people tune into high-definition livestreams, watching as the drama — and fireworks — unfurl across the sky. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 June 2026 All the lasers, bombs and explosions that Fox’s Arwing navigates look ultra high-definition without turning into the overwhelming bullet-hell of other shooters. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 25 June 2026 The world followed the exploits of NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission in near real-time thanks to a high-tech laser link between the astronauts and Earth that enabled high-definition streaming video and images. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for high-definition

Word History

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of high-definition was in 1981

Rhymes for high-definition

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Browse Nearby Words

high-def
high-definition
high-density lipoprotein
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

high-definition

adjective
: relating to or being a television with a more detailed and sharper picture than usual
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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