description

noun

de·​scrip·​tion di-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce description (audio)
Synonyms of descriptionnext
1
a
: an act of describing
specifically : discourse intended to give a mental image of something experienced
beautiful beyond description
gave an accurate description of what he saw
b
: a statement or account giving the characteristics of someone or something : a descriptive statement or account
The review was little more than a description of the film's plot.
2
: kind or character especially as determined by salient (see salient entry 1 sense 3b) features
someone fitting the suspect's description
had toys of every description
opposed to any tax of so radical a description

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for description

type, kind, sort, nature, description, character mean a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities.

type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

Examples of description in a Sentence

Reporters called the scene “a disaster area,” and I think that was an accurate description. I applied for the position after reading the job description. a writer with a gift of description
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 sign, with a description of what took place, later will be installed in that area. —Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024 Shortly after officers obtained a description of Worthy and broadcast it over the radio, responding officers were flagged down by a witness who told them that a man robbed a smoke shop at gunpoint and fired one shot. —Christina Shaw, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024 Writing Documentation And Explanations Once a function is developed, use LLMs to generate a description, explain inputs and outputs and write unit tests. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 Authorities on Monday did not announce any arrests in the case or release a description of the suspects. —Jason Green, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for description 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English descripcioun, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin description-, descriptio, from describere — see describe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of description was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing description

Dictionary Entries Near description

descripta

description

descriptionist

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Description.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/description. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

description

noun
de·​scrip·​tion di-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce description (audio)
1
: an account of something
especially : an account that presents a picture to a person who reads or hears it
2
: sort entry 1 sense 1a, kind
people of every description
Etymology

Middle English descripcioun "description," from early French descripcioun and Latin description-, descriptio (both, same meaning), from Latin describere "to describe," from de- "down" and scribere "to write" — related to scribe

Legal Definition

description

noun
de·​scrip·​tion
: a representation in words of the nature and characteristics of a thing: as
a
: a specification of the boundaries of a piece of land (as for a deed)
b
: an explanation of an invention in a patent application or printed publication

More from Merriam-Webster on description

Nglish: Translation of description for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of description for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about description

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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