define

verb

di-ˈfīn How to pronounce define (audio)
Definition of definenext
1
as in to trace
to draw or make apparent the outline of the glass skyscraper's sleek silhouette was strikingly defined by the setting sun to its west

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2
as in to describe
to mark the limits of the river defines the town on the south

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3
as in to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group a woman who is defined by her unswerving loyalty to her friends

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4
as in to specify
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly let me define the task so that there is no doubt in your minds about what needs to be done

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of define Unlike ancient Roman baths that relied on standing pools, Ottoman hammam architecture is defined by fresh, continuous flowing water across heated stone slabs (göbek taşı). — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 This season, though, will be defined by the head coach’s offseason evaluation of, well, himself. — Sam McDowell 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 Wardrobe is a defining status symbol in Gilead, the setting of the dystopian sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale based on Margaret Atwood’s 2019 novel The Testaments. — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026 The application defines that standard as either having a condition that will not improve or one that prevents someone from performing normal daily living tasks unassisted. — Ava Kelley, NBC news, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
  1. trace
  2. describe
  3. characterize
  4. specify
  5. outline
  6. limit
  7. portray
  8. delineate
Verb
  • Tears traced the terrain of her face, curving around the high mountains of her cheekbones, pooling at her chin.
    — Reshma Kirpalani, NPR, 29 July 2026
  • Officials traced his cell phone data, reporting that his phone went dark during the hours of the crime, and then reconnected to cellular towers after the fatal incident.
    — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of trace
Verb
  • Swangy describes foods that blend sweet, spicy and tangy flavors.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
  • The earliest cases dated to April and occurred in evaluation environments that lacked what the company described as standard safeguards.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026
Definition of describe
Verb
  • Russia's Defense Ministry characterized the attack as a large-scale strike on military-industrial and logistics sites in Kyiv, according to reports in Russian media.
    — Greg Myre, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Several residents who spoke at the meetings characterized the opposition as a vocal minority of residents who have fixated on a few mostly parochial issues.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of characterize
Verb
  • Kansas law also specifies that your employer cannot count your usual lunch break toward these two hours.
    — Rashad Alexander August 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The affidavit stated there were two victims but redacted their identities and did not specify which attacks were committed on which child.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 31 July 2026
Definition of specify
Verb
  • The article outlines specific ChatGPT prompts for finding profitable ventures, structuring pricing for a $1,000 monthly goal, and creating a 30-day plan for success.
    — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • At which point, the state had to submit a spending plan outlining how the funds were to be distributed.
    — Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of outline
Verb
  • Evening meals are also limited to hotel guests, who are treated to a snack menu.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Temperatures in southern Iran have recently soared above 50 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit), and officials are calling for Iranians to limit their use of air conditioning, according to Iranian state media.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of limit
Verb
  • Reuters — Japan’s government is portraying its accelerating military buildup not only as ​a way to protect the country but as a route to greater prosperity, arguing in ‌its latest defence white paper that arms production can support economic growth.
    — Reuters, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The news arrives after the recent release of the blockbuster Michael biopic, which portrayed Jackson as a father with an iron fist and hair-trigger temper who used physical punishment to push his sons to stardom.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of portray
Verb
  • Affordable concrete pavers from the hardware store and gravel delineate the area.
    — Stephen Orr, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
  • The magnetic pull for those whose ultimate prize is privacy and connection to nature is towards gardens, forests, fields and beachfronts that stretch into the distance, delineating possibilities.
    — Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of delineate

Browse Nearby Words

definable
define
defined
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Cite this Entry

“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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