defined; defining
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 Univ. Bull.
Denison Univ. Bull.the moment that defined the campaign
: to make a definition (see definition sense 1a)
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 companies that recognize the strategic importance of data today will define the industries of tomorrow.
—Gaurav Aggarwal, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Creating characters who aren't defined by their size but aren't asked to ignore it either.
—Allen Zadoff, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
Public works projects are defined as those that use more than $1,000 of public funds.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
No pair's body of work has defined the Disney Renaissance—and frankly, many people’s Disney memories—better than Menken and Ashman.
1.
—Barry Levitt, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for define 
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Gaurav Aggarwal, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Creating characters who aren't defined by their size but aren't asked to ignore it either.
—Allen Zadoff, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
Public works projects are defined as those that use more than $1,000 of public funds.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
No pair's body of work has defined the Disney Renaissance—and frankly, many people’s Disney memories—better than Menken and Ashman.
1.
—Barry Levitt, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for define
Articles Related to define
Dictionary Entries Near define
Cite this Entry
“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/define. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
define
verb
de·fine
di-ˈfīn 
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
adjective
-ˈfī-nə-bəl
definer
noun
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