: 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.
Collaborating with Pixar and Industrial Light & Magic, the team has developed high-definition panels combined with physical characters. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 16 Aug. 2026 The ride is expected to rely heavily on 3D effects and high-definition screens, but Strong made clear that there will indeed be large-scale physical sets on the ride. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026 In the 2010s, streaming providers largely worked to meet the standard set by traditional TV with reliable, high-definition feeds. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 14 Aug. 2026 The pilot has a 4K ultra-high-definition screen in the cockpit instead, which re-creates the outside view digitally. Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“High-definition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high-definition. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

high-definition

adjective
: relating to or being a television with a more detailed and sharper picture than usual
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!