Define
verb
To clearly describe the nature or scope of something.
It's difficult to define what makes a good marriage.
Often appears as...
- define a problem
- define a concept
verb
To state formally and precisely.
The duties of the job were clearly defined.
Often appears as...
- define the rules
- define the boundaries
Usage tips
Academic
verb
To mark the limits or boundaries of something.
The river defines the border between the two countries.
Often appears as...
- define the limits
- define the scope
verb
In computing, to specify the layout or format of.
A function in a program must be defined before it can be used.
Often appears as...
- define a variable
- define a function
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To explain and describe the meaning of a word or a term.
Would you please define the term 'metaphor'?
Often appears as...
- define a word
- define a term
Usage tips
Academic
verb
To clearly describe the nature or scope of something.
It's difficult to define what makes a good marriage.
Often appears as...
- define a problem
- define a concept
verb
To state formally and precisely.
The duties of the job were clearly defined.
Often appears as...
- define the rules
- define the boundaries
Usage tips
Academic
verb
To mark the limits or boundaries of something.
The river defines the border between the two countries.
Often appears as...
- define the limits
- define the scope
verb
In computing, to specify the layout or format of.
A function in a program must be defined before it can be used.
Often appears as...
- define a variable
- define a function
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To explain and describe the meaning of a word or a term.
Would you please define the term 'metaphor'?
Often appears as...
- define a word
- define a term
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/2Scope Clarity
When 'define' means to describe something clearly, it involves being precise about its meaning or function.
Can you define your responsibilities in this project?
Pro Tip 2/2Clarity in Context
Use it to bring clarity to a subject within a specific context, like a debate or a lesson.
The speaker defined the terms of the agreement in his lecture.
Pro Tip 1/2Scope Clarity
When 'define' means to describe something clearly, it involves being precise about its meaning or function.
Can you define your responsibilities in this project?
Pro Tip 2/2Clarity in Context
Use it to bring clarity to a subject within a specific context, like a debate or a lesson.
The speaker defined the terms of the agreement in his lecture.
Pro Tip 1/2Scope Clarity
When 'define' means to describe something clearly, it involves being precise about its meaning or function.
Can you define your responsibilities in this project?
Pro Tip 2/2Clarity in Context
Use it to bring clarity to a subject within a specific context, like a debate or a lesson.
The speaker defined the terms of the agreement in his lecture.
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Video examples
The three different ways...
like the duck-bill platypus's webbed feet, bill, and the venomous spur males have on their feet, they are, in fact, mammals. That's because they share the defining characteristics of mammalia and are evolutionarily linked to the rest of the class. Whether placental, marsupial, or monotreme,
Video examples
What is a calorie? -...
So we have to be able to measure the energy we consume and use, and we do so with a unit called the calorie. One calorie, the kind we measure in food, also called a large calorie, is defined as the amount of energy it would take to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water
Video examples
What is love? - Brad...
It's all you need. It's all there is. These are all comparisons, though, ways of defining it by contrast, by saying it's more important than all other things, but is it? Sure, love matters more than your standard turkey sandwich, but does it matter more than shelter? Or sanity?
Video examples
Gary Haugen: The hidden...
Way too many, of course, but it does mean that every year, there's eight million kids who don't have to die from poverty. Moreover, the number of people in our world who are living in extreme poverty, which is defined as living off about a dollar and a quarter a day,
Video examples
What is bipolar...
Worldwide, about one to three percent of adults experience the broad range of symptoms that indicate bipolar disorder. Most of those people are functional, contributing members of society, and their lives, choices, and relationships aren't defined by the disorder,
Video examples
Origins of the Universe...
What happened next were two major stages of the universe's evolution. Called the radiation and matter eras, they're defined by key events that helped shape the universe. First came the radiation era, named for the dominance of radiation
Video examples
The law of conservation...
This law says take an isolated system defined by a boundary that matter and energy cannot cross. Inside this system, mass, a.k.a. matter and energy, can neither be created nor destroyed. The universe, to the best of our knowledge,
Video examples
Vampires: Folklore,...
They sustain themselves by consuming the life force of a living creature. This shared trait is what defines a vampire -- all the other attributes change with the tides. So, how do we arrive
Video examples
An eco-modernist...
embracing and accelerating these trends rather than fighting them we can create the kind of world we'd all want to live in and redefine what it means to be
Video examples
Best Of Frogs PIPE Top 5 PIPE...
yakushima is an island pretty much defined by rainfall this is the soggiest place in all of japan in fact the locals have a saying
Video examples
The three different ways...
like the duck-bill platypus's webbed feet, bill, and the venomous spur males have on their feet, they are, in fact, mammals. That's because they share the defining characteristics of mammalia and are evolutionarily linked to the rest of the class. Whether placental, marsupial, or monotreme,
Video examples
What is a calorie? -...
So we have to be able to measure the energy we consume and use, and we do so with a unit called the calorie. One calorie, the kind we measure in food, also called a large calorie, is defined as the amount of energy it would take to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water
Video examples
What is love? - Brad...
It's all you need. It's all there is. These are all comparisons, though, ways of defining it by contrast, by saying it's more important than all other things, but is it? Sure, love matters more than your standard turkey sandwich, but does it matter more than shelter? Or sanity?
Video examples
Gary Haugen: The hidden...
Way too many, of course, but it does mean that every year, there's eight million kids who don't have to die from poverty. Moreover, the number of people in our world who are living in extreme poverty, which is defined as living off about a dollar and a quarter a day,
Video examples
What is bipolar...
Worldwide, about one to three percent of adults experience the broad range of symptoms that indicate bipolar disorder. Most of those people are functional, contributing members of society, and their lives, choices, and relationships aren't defined by the disorder,
Video examples
Origins of the Universe...
What happened next were two major stages of the universe's evolution. Called the radiation and matter eras, they're defined by key events that helped shape the universe. First came the radiation era, named for the dominance of radiation
Video examples
The law of conservation...
This law says take an isolated system defined by a boundary that matter and energy cannot cross. Inside this system, mass, a.k.a. matter and energy, can neither be created nor destroyed. The universe, to the best of our knowledge,
Video examples
Vampires: Folklore,...
They sustain themselves by consuming the life force of a living creature. This shared trait is what defines a vampire -- all the other attributes change with the tides. So, how do we arrive
Video examples
An eco-modernist...
embracing and accelerating these trends rather than fighting them we can create the kind of world we'd all want to live in and redefine what it means to be
Video examples
Best Of Frogs PIPE Top 5 PIPE...
yakushima is an island pretty much defined by rainfall this is the soggiest place in all of japan in fact the locals have a saying
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Michelle Obama
American First Lady
I specifically did not read other First Ladies' books, because I didn't want to be influenced by how they defined the role. I knew that I would have to find this role - very uniquely and specifically to me and who I was.
Quote examples
Tom Cruise
American Actor
As a young actor, people were trying to define who I was before I really knew that for myself. But I still remember thinking, 'This is what I love doing, and I hope I'm going to be able to do it forever.
Quote examples
Angela Merkel
German Statesman
We feel bound to the Christian image of humanity - that is what defines us. Those who do not accept this are in the wrong place here.
Quote examples
Oprah Winfrey
American Entertainer
I'm black, I don't feel burdened by it and I don't think it's a huge responsibility. It's part of who I am. It does not define me.
Quote examples
Jessica Savitch
American Journalist
Texas was defined by its larger-than-life characters, particularly politicians.
Quote examples
George Hill
American Athlete
I didn't grow up with money and I don't define my life by money.
Quote examples
Gabriella Wilson
American Musician
To live your truth and sing your truth, that defines success.
Quote examples
Meg Whitman
American Businesswoman
Guess what? The world changes. eBay has defined e-commerce.
Quote examples
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Roman Statesman
Rightly defined philosophy is simply the love of wisdom.
Quote examples
Marco Pierre White
British Chef
My mother's death was the defining moment of my life.
Quote examples
Michelle Obama
American First Lady
I specifically did not read other First Ladies' books, because I didn't want to be influenced by how they defined the role. I knew that I would have to find this role - very uniquely and specifically to me and who I was.
Quote examples
Tom Cruise
American Actor
As a young actor, people were trying to define who I was before I really knew that for myself. But I still remember thinking, 'This is what I love doing, and I hope I'm going to be able to do it forever.
Quote examples
Angela Merkel
German Statesman
We feel bound to the Christian image of humanity - that is what defines us. Those who do not accept this are in the wrong place here.
Quote examples
Oprah Winfrey
American Entertainer
I'm black, I don't feel burdened by it and I don't think it's a huge responsibility. It's part of who I am. It does not define me.
Quote examples
Jessica Savitch
American Journalist
Texas was defined by its larger-than-life characters, particularly politicians.
Quote examples
George Hill
American Athlete
I didn't grow up with money and I don't define my life by money.
Quote examples
Gabriella Wilson
American Musician
To live your truth and sing your truth, that defines success.
Quote examples
Meg Whitman
American Businesswoman
Guess what? The world changes. eBay has defined e-commerce.
Quote examples
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Roman Statesman
Rightly defined philosophy is simply the love of wisdom.
Quote examples
Marco Pierre White
British Chef
My mother's death was the defining moment of my life.
Example 1 of 10
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