definition Hear it!

definition Definition

defi·ni·tion (def′ə nis̸h′ən)

noun

  1. a defining or being defined
  2. a statement of what a thing is
  3. a statement of the meaning as of a word or phrase
    1. a putting or being in clear, sharp outline
    2. a making or being definite, explicit, and clear
  5. the power of a lens to show (an object) in clear, sharp outline
  6. the degree of distinctness of a photograph, etc.
  7. the clearness with which recorded or broadcast sounds or televised images are reproduced; absence of fuzziness

Etymology: ME diffinicioun < OFr definicion & ML diffinitio, both < L definitio

definition Related Forms
def′i·ni′·tional adjective
definition Synonyms

definition

n.

  1. Expressed meaning of a term

    meaning, explanation, description, signification, denotation, diagnosis, analogue, synonym, exposition, elucidation, rendering, drift, sense, referent, interpretation, formalization, explication, clue, individuation, exemplification, annotation, gloss, cue, key, translation, comment, paraphrase, clarification, rendition, rationale, commentary, formal statement of meaning, dictionary meaning, representation, characterization, recursive definition, expounding; see also description 1, explanation 1, 2, meaning.

    Antonyms nonsense*, absurdity*, error. *

  2. The process or result of making limits clear

    delineation, determination, demarcation, distinctness, sharpness, clarity, encompassment, circumscription, outline, boundary, outlining, surveying; see also clarity.

    Antonyms confusion*, muddling, mixing.

definition Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • terrorism: That is why it is so disappointing that the United Nations was unable to agree a definition of terrorism earlier this month.
  • disability: The definition of disability relates to disability where mobility is reduced or people who use the national blind scheme for accessing free travel.
  • term: Concerns with the Large Exposure Regime have been prompted by a changed definition of the term " exposure " .
  • harassment: This is the definition of harassment which is contained in the SDA from 1 October 2005.

Converse of object

  • agree: There is no agreed definition of the precautionary principle.
  • amend: The amended definition of " designate " also applies to the designation of states or regions under the PCT.
  • extend: One writer has had the idea of extending the definition of Murdos throughout the British Isles.
  • accept: The State Standard is the most commonly accepted definition of poverty.

Preposition: in

  • glossary: Key terms are linked to definitions in an accompanying glossary.

Adjective modifier

  • precise: The precise definition of the star allocation system varies according to the type of accommodation.
  • broad: The last two perspectives below work from this broader definition.
  • narrow: He argued that a much narrower definition of money was required.
  • ostensive: In this muddle he continues to ask, how can an ostensive definition teach the meaning of a term?
  • strict: In November 2001 a judicial review ruled that creating cloned human embryos lay outwith the strict definition of embryos in the Act.
  • statutory: There is no statutory definition of the term for the purposes of inheritance tax.

Noun used with modifier

  • dictionary: To which sense in the above standard dictionary definition is his closest?
  • macro: However, often the postscript produced by applications has a lot of unoptimised header macro definition which can lead to enormous files.
  • glossary: Alternatively, all glossary definitions can be seen on the ' Glossary ' page in the ' Resources ' section.
  • virus: The new versions have facilities that greatly ease the task of updating the virus definitions on a regular basis.
  • mchb: Able to pool mchb definition of quot table slightly more for the american.
definition Quotes

My definition of a free society is a society in which it is safe to be unpopular.

—Stevenson, Adlai E(wing)

He did the thing that no one else would even dare to think of doing. And that to me's as good a definition of a 'hero'as you'll get. Even when the thing that's done is something of which you disapprove.

—50 Cent originally  CurtisJackson

   'Girl number twenty unable to define a horse!'said Mr Gradgrind† 'Girl number twenty possessed of no facts, in reference to one of the commonest of animals!'† 'Bitzer'said Thomas Gradgrind.'Your definition of a horse.' 'Quadruped.Graminivorous. Forty teeth, namely twenty-four grinders, four eye-teeth, and twelve incisive. Sheds coat in the spring; in marshy countries, sheds hoofs, too. Hoofs hard, but requiring to be shod with iron. Age known by marks in mouth.' Thus (and much more) Bitzer. 'Now girl number twenty,'said Mr Gradgrind.'You know what a horse is.'

—Dickens, CharlesJohn Huffam

The definition of a specialist as one who'knows more and more about less and less' isgood and true.

—Mayo, Charles Horace

The definition of happiness of the Greeks†is full use of your powers along lines of excellence. I find, therefore, the Presidency provides some happiness.

—Kennedy,John F(itzgerald)

My definition of utter waste is a coachload of lawyers going over a cliff, with three empty seats.

—Hunt, Lamar

No man, not even a doctor, ever gives any other definition of what a nurse should be thanthisö'devoted and obedient'. This definition would do just as well for a porter. It might even do for a horse.It would not do for a policeman.

—Nightingale, Florence

DefinitionöScience is systematized positive knowledge, what has been taken as such in different ages and in different places. TheoremöThe acquisition and systematization of positive knowledge are the only human activities which are truly cumulative and progressive.CorollaryöThe history of science is the only history which can illustrate the progress of mankind. In fact, progress has no definite and unquestionable meaning in other fields than the field of science.

—Sarton, George A

'Good', then, if we mean by it that quality which we assert to belong to a thing, when we say that the thing is good, is incapable of any definition, in the most important sense of the word.

—Moore, G(eorge) E(dward)

   The poet reminds men of their uniqueness and it is not necessary to possess the ultimate definition of this uniqueness. Even to speculate is a gain.

—Cousins, Norman

If you want a definition of poetry, say: 'Poetry is what makes me laugh or cry or yawn, what makes my toenails twinkle, what makes me want to do this or that or nothing'and let it go at that.

—Thomas, Dylan Marlais