Noun of the word define

Last Updated:
8 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English definen, from Old French definer, variant of definir, from Latin dēfīniō (“limit, settle, define”), from dē + fīniō (“set a limit, bound, end”).

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /dɪˈfaɪn/
• Hyphenation: de‧fine
• Rhymes: -aɪn

Verb[edit]

define (third-person singular simple present defines, present participle defining, simple past and past participle defined)

1. To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.

   • 1704, I[saac] N[ewton], “(please specify |book=1 to 3)”, in Opticks: Or, A Treatise of the Reflexions, Refractions, Inflexions and Colours of Light. […], London: […] Sam[uel] Smith, and Benj[amin] Walford, printers to the Royal Society, […], →OCLC:

     Rings […] very distinct and well defined.

   • 2013 July-August, Lee S. Langston, “The Adaptable Gas Turbine”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name):

     Turbines have been around for a long time—windmills and water wheels are early examples. The name comes from the Latin turbo, meaning vortex, and thus the defining property of a turbine is that a fluid or gas turns the blades of a rotor, which is attached to a shaft that can perform useful work.

   the defining power of an optical instrument

2. (obsolete) To settle, decide (an argument etc.) [16th–17th c.]
3. To express the essential nature of something.

   • 2013 May-June, Brian Hayes, “Crinkly Curves”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, page 178:

     Cantor defined a one-to-one correspondence between the points of the square and the points of the line segment. Every point in the square was associated with a single point in the segment; every point in the segment was matched with a unique point in the square.

   I define myself as a techno-anarchist.

   Your past mistakes do not define who you are.

4. To state the meaning of a word, phrase, sign, or symbol.

   The textbook defined speed as velocity divided by time.

5. To describe, explain, or make definite and clear; used to request the listener or other person to elaborate or explain more clearly his or her intended meaning of a word or expression.

   Person 1: Is she good at math?
   Person 2: Define «good.» If you mean if she is faster than the average middle schooler at multiplication, then yes. If you mean if she is able to do multivariable calculus, then no.

6. To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.

   • 2012 March-April, Jan Sapp, “Race Finished”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 164:

     Few concepts are as emotionally charged as that of race. The word conjures up a mixture of associations—culture, ethnicity, genetics, subjugation, exclusion and persecution. But is the tragic history of efforts to define groups of people by race really a matter of the misuse of science, the abuse of a valid biological concept?

   to define the legal boundaries of a property

7. (mathematics) To establish the referent of a term or notation.

Derived terms[edit]

[edit]

Translations[edit]

Noun[edit]

define (plural defines)

1. (programming) A kind of macro in source code that replaces one text string with another wherever it occurs.
   • 1996, James Gosling, Henry McGilton, The Java Language Environment

     From the computer programming perspective, Java looks like C and C++ while discarding the overwhelming complexities of those languages, such as typedefs, defines, preprocessor, unions, pointers, and multiple inheritance.

   • 1999, Ian Joyner, Objects unencapsulated: Java, Eiffel, and C++ (page 309)

     Anyone who has attempted to do OO programming in a conventional language using defines will find out that it is impossible to realize the benefits easily, if at all, without compiler support.

Translations[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• define in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• “define”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.

Anagrams[edit]

• feed-in, feedin’, infeed

Galician[edit]

Verb[edit]

define

1. third-person singular present indicative of definir
2. second-person singular imperative of definir

Portuguese[edit]

Verb[edit]

define

1. inflection of definir:
   1. third-person singular present indicative
   2. second-person singular imperative

Spanish[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /deˈfine/ [d̪eˈfi.ne]
• Rhymes: -ine
• Syllabification: de‧fi‧ne

Verb[edit]

define

1. inflection of definir:
   1. third-person singular present indicative
   2. second-person singular imperative

Turkish[edit]

Etymology 1[edit]

From Ottoman Turkish دفینه‎ (define), from Arabic دَفِينَة‎ (dafīna), from دَفَنَ‎ (dafana, “to bury”).

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /de.fiːˈne/
• Hyphenation: de‧fi‧ne

Noun[edit]

define (definite accusative defineyi, plural defineler)

1. treasure trove

Declension[edit]

Inflection
Nominative	define
Definite accusative	defineyi
	Singular	Plural
Nominative	define	defineler
Definite accusative	defineyi	defineleri
Dative	defineye	definelere
Locative	definede	definelerde
Ablative	defineden	definelerden
Genitive	definenin	definelerin
Possessive forms Nominative Singular Plural 1st singular definem definelerim 2nd singular definen definelerin 3rd singular definesi defineleri 1st plural definemiz definelerimiz 2nd plural defineniz defineleriniz 3rd plural defineleri defineleri Definite accusative Singular Plural 1st singular definemi definelerimi 2nd singular defineni definelerini 3rd singular definesini definelerini 1st plural definemizi definelerimizi 2nd plural definenizi definelerinizi 3rd plural definelerini definelerini Dative Singular Plural 1st singular defineme definelerime 2nd singular definene definelerine 3rd singular definesine definelerine 1st plural definemize definelerimize 2nd plural definenize definelerinize 3rd plural definelerine definelerine Locative Singular Plural 1st singular definemde definelerimde 2nd singular definende definelerinde 3rd singular definesinde definelerinde 1st plural definemizde definelerimizde 2nd plural definenizde definelerinizde 3rd plural definelerinde definelerinde Ablative Singular Plural 1st singular definemden definelerimden 2nd singular definenden definelerinden 3rd singular definesinden definelerinden 1st plural definemizden definelerimizden 2nd plural definenizden definelerinizden 3rd plural definelerinden definelerinden Genitive Singular Plural 1st singular definemin definelerimin 2nd singular definenin definelerinin 3rd singular definesinin definelerinin 1st plural definemizin definelerimizin 2nd plural definenizin definelerinizin 3rd plural definelerinin definelerinin

References[edit]

• define in Turkish dictionaries at Türk Dil Kurumu
• Redhouse, James W. (1890), “دفینه”, in A Turkish and English Lexicon, Constantinople: A. H. Boyajian, page 907

Etymology 2[edit]

Borrowed from French défini, past participle of définir.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /de.fiˈne/
• Hyphenation: de‧fi‧ne

Adjective[edit]

define

1. (bodybuilding) defined

   define vücut ― a defined body

Derived terms[edit]

[edit]

definer. Agent noun of define; one who defines.

What is the adjective form of define?

Derived forms of define definable, adjectivedefinability, noundefinably, adverbdefiner, noun.

Where does the word define come from?

late 14c., deffinen, diffinen, “to specify; to fix or establish authoritatively;” of words, phrases, etc., “state the signification of, explain what is meant by, describe in detail,” from Old French defenir, definir “to finish, conclude, come to an end; bring to an end; define, determine with precision,” and directly …

What it means to define?

English Language Learners Definition of define : to explain the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.) : to show or describe (someone or something) clearly and completely. : to show the shape, outline, or edge of (something) very clearly.

What is an example of person?

The definition of a person is an individual human being. An example of a person is one man. An individual; usually a human being. An entity, such as an individual, or, under law, an incorporated group with certain legal rights and responsibilities; a human being; the live body of a human being.

What is a territory easy definition?

1a : a geographic area belonging to or under the jurisdiction of a governmental authority. b : an administrative subdivision of a country. c : a part of the U.S. not included within any state but organized with a separate legislature.

What is a territory example?

A territory (plural: territories, from the word terra, which means ‘land’) is an area which belongs to a person, organization, institution, animal, nation or state. Examples are: Puerto Rico as a U.S. territory, or Bermuda as a territory of the UK.

What is another name for territory?

What is another word for territory?

area	land
district	domain
region	enclave
sector	zone
colony	dominion

What is difference between territory and country?

As nouns the difference between country and territory is that country is (label) an area of land; a district, region while territory is a large extent or tract of land; a region; a country; a district.

Is a territory part of a country?

In most countries, a territory is an organized division of an area that is controlled by a country but is not formally developed into, or incorporated into, a political unit of the country that is of equal status to other political units that may often be referred to by words such as “provinces” or “regions” or “states …

How many countries are in world?

195 countries

Are there 197 countries?

At present, the U.N. recognizes a total of 197 countries. This includes 193 member countries, two U.N. observers (Holy See (Vatican) and Palestine), and Taiwan and Kosovo, each widely regarded as self-governed territories.

How old is the oldest country?

By many accounts, the Republic of San Marino, one of the world’s smallest countries, is also the world’s oldest country. The tiny country that is completely landlocked by Italy was founded on September 3rd in the year 301 BCE.

Is England a country?

England is a country. Britain is an area that consists of England and the country of Wales. The United Kingdom (UK) is a country that is a union of the countries on the island of Great Britain, along with the country of Northern Ireland (which shares the island of Ireland with the Republic of Ireland.)

What is the world’s largest country?

Russia

What country is #1 in education?

Canada

What country is #1 in quality of life?

Denmark

Is USA a free country?

Highest ranking in personal freedoms were Sweden (9.45) and the Netherlands (9.28). In 2019, United States has dropped to rank 15 according to The Human Freedom Index. Nevertheless, democracy strongly correlates with freedom (7.9), as measured by the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index and the Freedom Index.

What is the best country to live in?

• Canada. #1 in Quality of Life Rankings.
• Denmark. #2 in Quality of Life Rankings.
• Sweden. #3 in Quality of Life Rankings.
• Norway. #4 in Quality of Life Rankings.
• Switzerland. #5 in Quality of Life Rankings.
• Australia. #6 in Quality of Life Rankings.
• Netherlands. #7 in Quality of Life Rankings.
• Finland. #8 in Quality of Life Rankings.

Is Russia a free country?

During Putin’s first term as President (2000–2004), Freedom House rated Russia as “partially free” with poor scores of 5 on both political rights and civil liberties (1 being most free, and 7 least free).

Is Australia a free country?

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.

What is defined as a person?

A person (plural people or persons) is a being that has certain capacities or attributes such as reason, morality, consciousness or self-consciousness, and being a part of a culturally established form of social relations such as kinship, ownership of property, or legal responsibility. …

Is human and person the same?

Person and human are both terms used to refer to us. While they do indeed refer to the same thing, the usage actually varies based on context. “Person” is also used to describe a human being in a philosophical manner. A human is also a person.

What are the 3 components of a territory?

Territory is defined as the fixed portion on the surface of the earth on which the State settles and over which it has supreme authority. The components of the territory of the state are the terrestrial, fluvial, maritime and aerial domains.

Which country education is toughest?

Five Countries with the Strongest Education Systems

• South Korea. South Korea emerged as the number one ranked education system in 2015.
• Japan. Japan experienced great success in recent years by incorporating technology into its education system, providing its students with tremendous resources.
• Singapore.
• Hong Kong.
• Finland.

Just like Wales and Scotland, England is commonly referred to as a country but it is not a sovereign state. It is the largest country within the United Kingdom both by landmass and population, has taken a pivitol role in the creation of the UK, and its capital London also happens to be the capital of the UK.

What is the happiest country on earth?

The 10 Happiest Countries in the World

1. Finland. For the fourth year in a row, Finland is number one when it comes to happiness.
2. Denmark. Denmark remained in the number two spot this year.
3. Switzerland.
4. Iceland.
5. Netherlands.
6. Norway.
7. Sweden.
8. Luxembourg.

определять, устанавливать, обозначать, очерчивать, устанавливать значение

глагол ↓

Словосочетания

a term that is difficult to define — термин, которому трудно дать определение  
to define smb.’s powers — определить чьи-л. полномочия  
to define widely — давать широкое определение  
to define function implicitly — задавать функцию неявно  
to define the airspace — определять [обозначать] границы воздушного пространства  
to define a term — определить термин  
to define broadly — давать широкое определение  
to define judicially — давать судебное определение  
to define legally — давать юридическое определение  
to define legislatively — давать законодательное определение  
to define liberally [loosely] — давать широкое определение  

Примеры с переводом

Возможные однокоренные слова

definable  — определяемый, определимый
definite  — определенный, точный, ясный
defining  — определяющий
redefine  — переопределить
defined  — оговоренный, описанный, заданный, определенный, получивший определение

Формы слова

verb
I/you/we/they: define
he/she/it: defines
ing ф. (present participle): defining
2-я ф. (past tense): defined
3-я ф. (past participle): defined

• 1
  define
  
  

  1) определя́ть, дава́ть (то́чное) определе́ние;

  2) дава́ть характери́стику

  3) оче́рчивать, обознача́ть ( границы)

  Англо-русский словарь Мюллера > define

• 2
  define
  
  

  define the failure

  определять причины отказа

  to define the airspace

  определять границы воздушного пространства

  English-Russian aviation dictionary > define

• 3
  define
  
  

  Персональный Сократ > define

• 4
  define
  
  

  [dɪˈfaɪn]

  define давать определение define давать характеристику define задавать define определить define определять, давать определение define определять define очерчивать, обозначать define очерчивать define устанавливать границы define устанавливать значение (слова и т. п.) define характеризовать define the framework of определять рамки

  English-Russian short dictionary > define

• 5
  define
  
  

  1. v определять, давать определение

  2. v характеризовать; определять, устанавливать

  3. v характеризовать; составлять отличительное свойство

  the properties that define this species are … — отличительными особенностями этого вида являются …

  4. v очерчивать, ограничивать, устанавливать границы

  5. v выделять, делать рельефным

  6. v задавать

  Синонимический ряд:

  1. border (verb) border; edge; fringe; hem; margin; rim; skirt; surround; verge

  2. clarify (verb) clarify; explain; interpret; specify; state

  3. delimit (verb) delimit; delineate; demarcate; describe; designate; etch

  4. fix the limits of (verb) bound; circumscribe; determine the boundaries of; fix; fix the limits of; limit; outline; settle

  6. render precise (verb) ascertain; characterise; characterize; determine; elucidate; entitle; illustrate; label; render precise

  Антонимический ряд:

  confuse; obscure

  English-Russian base dictionary > define

• 6
  define
  
  

  определять; давать определение, формулировать, конструировать дефиницию

  Англо-русский юридический словарь > define

• 7
  define
  
  

  Англо-русский синонимический словарь > define

• 8
  define
  
  

  Англо-русский технический словарь > define

• 9
  define
  
  

  [dıʹfaın]

  1. определять, давать (точное) определение

  to define a term [a concept] — определить термин [понятие]

  2. 1) характеризовать; определять, устанавливать

  to define one’s position — определить /высказать/ своё отношение

  to define smb.’s duties — очертить /установить/ круг чьих-л. обязанностей

  the powers of a judge are defined by law — обязанности /полномочия/ судьи устанавливаются /определяются/ законом

  2) характеризовать; составлять отличительное свойство

  the properties that define this species are… — отличительными особенностями этого (биологического) вида являются…

  3. очерчивать, ограничивать, устанавливать границы

  to define the boundary between two countries — установить границу между двумя странами

  three joined buildings defined a courtyard — три соединённых друг с другом здания образовывали внутренний двор

  4. выделять, делать рельефным

  НБАРС > define

• 10
  define
  
  

  [dɪ’faɪn]

  гл.

  1) определять , давать определение

  In the contract agreed between the union and the employers, overtime is defined as work after 6 p.m. on weekdays, and anytime on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. — По соглашению между профсоюзом и работодателями в сверхурочные входит работа после 6 часов вечера в рабочие дни и работа в выходные и праздничные дни.

  You can define the word «difficult» as «not easy.» — Значение слова «трудный» можно определить как «не являющийся лёгким»

  2)

  информ.

  задать ; определить, описать

  3) очерчивать, ограничивать, устанавливать границы

  Syn:

  4) характеризовать; определять, устанавливать

  to define smb.’s powers — определить чьи-л. полномочия

  The duties and responsibilities of the governing board are clearly defined in an official document. — Обязанности административного совета чётко определены в официальном документе.

  5) характеризовать; составлять отличительное свойство

  People define themselves by the choices they make. — Решение, которое принимает человек, говорит о его характере.

  Syn:

  Англо-русский современный словарь > define

• 11
  define
  
  

  v

  1) определять, давать (точное) определение

  2) характеризовать; определять, устанавливать

  English-russian dctionary of diplomacy > define

• 12
  define
  
  

  dɪˈfaɪn гл.
  1) а) определять, давать определение (as) In the contract agreed between the union and the employers, overtime is defined as work after 6 p.m. on weekdays, and anytime on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. ≈ По соглашению между профсоюзом и работодателем в сверхурочные входит работа после 6 часов вечера в рабочие дни и работа в выходные и по национальным праздникам. sharply defineed б) линг. определять значение слова You can define the word ‘difficult’ as ‘not easy.’ ≈ Слово «трудный» можно определить как «не являющийся легким» в) компьют. задать( процедуру) ;
  определить, описать (переменную)
  2) а) определять границы, разграничивать rigidly defined property lines ≈ строго определенные границы собственности sharply defined against a light background ≈ четко очерченный на светлом фоне Syn: demarcate б) делать четким, ясным, понятным
  3) характеризовать, давать характеристику People define themselves by the choices they make. ≈ Люди характеризуются тем, какие выборы они делают. Syn: characterize, distinguish
  определять, давать (точное) определение — to * a term определить термин характеризовать;
  определять, устанавливать — to * one’s position определить /высказать/ свое отношение — to * a problem формулировать задачу — to * smb.’s duties очертить /установить/ круг чьих-л. обязанностей — the powers of a judge are *d by law обязанности /полномочия/ судьи устанавливаются /определяются/ законом характеризовать;
  составлять отличительное свойство — the properties that * this species are… отличительными особенностями этого( биологического) вида являются… очерчивать, ограничивать, устанавливать границы — to * the boundary between two countries установить границу между двумя странами — three joined buildings *d a courtyard три соединенных друг с другом здания образовывали внутренний двор выделять, делать рельефным — the tree was *d against the sky дерево вырисовывалось на фоне неба задавать( величину)
  define давать определение ~ давать характеристику ~ задавать ~ определить ~ определять, давать определение ~ определять ~ очерчивать, обозначать ~ очерчивать ~ устанавливать границы ~ устанавливать значение (слова и т. п.) ~ характеризовать
  ~ the framework of определять рамки

  Большой англо-русский и русско-английский словарь > define

• 13
  define
  
  

  Patent terms dictionary > define

• 14
  define
  
  

  1) задавать

  define a cam profile задавать профиль кулачка

  This Specification defines the minimum requirements for 1. Настоящие ТУ устанавливают минимальные требования к 2. В настоящих ТУ формулируются минимальные требования к

  3) составлять (программу работ, объем работ

  и т.д.

  )

  4) (

  тж.

  define in detail) расписывать (

  напр.

  , порядок производства работ, регламент работ

  и т.д.

  )

  5) определять (

  в знач.

  трактовать, толковать, интерпретировать)

  A shall be defined in the appropriate code А определяется в соответствующем нормативном документе

  6) обозначать

  well defined trail четко обозначенный проход

  7) предусматривать

  (

  в грам. знач. существ.

  ) постановка / формулировка ( проблемы)

  English-Russian dictionary of scientific and technical difficulties vocabulary > define

• 15
  define
  
  

  English-Russian dictionary of computer science and programming > define

• 16
  define
  
  

  1. характеризовать; определять; устанавливать

  2. устанавливать границы набора на дисплее

  English-Russian big polytechnic dictionary > define

• 17
  define
  
  

  English-Russian big medical dictionary > define

• 18
  define
  
  

  dɪˈfaɪnопределять, давать определение, характеризовать, устанавливать, очерчивать

  Англо-русский словарь экономических терминов > define

• 19
  define
  
  

  [dɪ’faɪn]

  1) Общая лексика: давать характеристику, дать определение, обозначать, обозначить, определить, охарактеризовать, очертить, устанавливать значение , установить значение, давать определение, очерчивать, устанавливать, образовывать

  4) Математика: доопределить, доопределять, задавать , задать, назначить, обусловить, ограничивать, поставить, принять, формулировать определение, определять

  Универсальный англо-русский словарь > define

• 20
  define as
  
  

  Универсальный англо-русский словарь > define as

de·fine

 (dĭ-fīn′)

v. de·fined, de·fin·ing, de·fines

v.tr.

1.

a. To state the precise meaning of (a word or sense of a word, for example).

b. To describe the nature or basic qualities of; explain: define the properties of a new drug; a study that defines people according to their median incomes.

2.

a. To make clear the outline or form of; delineate: gentle hills that were defined against the sky.

b. To specify distinctly: define the weapons to be used in limited warfare.

3. To give form or meaning to: «For him, a life is defined by action» (Jay Parini).

v.intr.

To make or write a definition.

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[Middle English definen, diffinen, from Old French definir, diffiner, from Latin dēfīnīre, to limit, determine : dē-, intensive pref.; see de- + fīnis, boundary, limit.]

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de·fin′a·bil′i·ty n.

de·fin′a·ble adj.

de·fin′a·bly adv.

de·fine′ment n.

de·fin′er n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

define

(dɪˈfaɪn)

vb (tr)

1. to state precisely the meaning of (words, terms, etc)

2. to describe the nature, properties, or essential qualities of

3. to determine the boundary or extent of

4. (often passive) to delineate the form or outline of: the shape of the tree was clearly defined by the light behind it.

5. to fix with precision; specify

[C14: from Old French definer to determine, from Latin dēfīnīre to set bounds to, from fīnīre to finish]

deˈfinable adj

deˌfinaˈbility n

deˈfinably adv

deˈfiner n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

de•fine

(dɪˈfaɪn)

v. -fined, -fin•ing. v.t.

1. to state or set forth the meaning of (a word, etc.).

2. to explain or identify the nature or essential qualities of; describe.

3. to specify: to define responsibilities.

4. to determine or fix the boundaries or extent of.

5. to make clear the outline or form of.

v.i.

6. to set forth the meaning of a word, phrase, etc.

[1325–75; Middle English def(f)inen < Old French definer to put an end to « Latin dēfīnīre to limit, define =dē- de- + fīnīre; see finish]

de•fin′a•ble, adj.

de•fin`a•bil′i•ty, n.

de•fin′a•bly, adv.

de•fin′er, n.

Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

define

Past participle: defined
Gerund: defining

Imperative
define
define

Present
I define
you define
he/she/it defines
we define
you define
they define

Preterite
I defined
you defined
he/she/it defined
we defined
you defined
they defined

Present Continuous
I am defining
you are defining
he/she/it is defining
we are defining
you are defining
they are defining

Present Perfect
I have defined
you have defined
he/she/it has defined
we have defined
you have defined
they have defined

Past Continuous
I was defining
you were defining
he/she/it was defining
we were defining
you were defining
they were defining

Past Perfect
I had defined
you had defined
he/she/it had defined
we had defined
you had defined
they had defined

Future
I will define
you will define
he/she/it will define
we will define
you will define
they will define

Future Perfect
I will have defined
you will have defined
he/she/it will have defined
we will have defined
you will have defined
they will have defined

Future Continuous
I will be defining
you will be defining
he/she/it will be defining
we will be defining
you will be defining
they will be defining

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been defining
you have been defining
he/she/it has been defining
we have been defining
you have been defining
they have been defining

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been defining
you will have been defining
he/she/it will have been defining
we will have been defining
you will have been defining
they will have been defining

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been defining
you had been defining
he/she/it had been defining
we had been defining
you had been defining
they had been defining

Conditional
I would define
you would define
he/she/it would define
we would define
you would define
they would define

Past Conditional
I would have defined
you would have defined
he/she/it would have defined
we would have defined
you would have defined
they would have defined

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Translations

• Dictionary
• D
• Define

Definitions of define word

• verb define to describe the nature, properties, or essential qualities of 4
• verb define If you define something, you show, describe, or state clearly what it is and what its limits are, or what it is like. 3
• verb define If you define a word or expression, you explain its meaning, for example in a dictionary. 3
• verb define to state precisely the meaning of (words, terms, etc) 3
• verb define to determine the boundary or extent of 3
• verb define to delineate the form or outline of 3

Information block about the term

Origin of define

First appearance:

before 1325

One of the 16% oldest English words

1325-75; Middle English def(f)inen < Anglo-French, Old French definer to put an end to < Latin dēfīnīre to limit, define, equivalent to dē- de- + fīnīre; see finish

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Define

define popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 89% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between «mom» and «screwdriver».

Synonyms for define

verb define

• delineate — If you delineate something such as an idea or situation, you describe it or define it, often in a lot of detail.
• represent — to present again or anew.
• decide — If you decide to do something, you choose to do it, usually after you have thought carefully about the other possibilities.
• describe — If you describe a person, object, event, or situation, you say what they are like or what happened.
• prescribe — to lay down, in writing or otherwise, as a rule or a course of action to be followed; appoint, ordain, or enjoin.

noun define

• selvage — the edge of woven fabric finished so as to prevent raveling, often in a narrow tape effect, different from the body of the fabric.
• hem — to fold back and sew down the edge of (cloth, a garment, etc.); form an edge or border on or around.

Antonyms for define

verb define

• hesitate — to be reluctant or wait to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination: She hesitated to take the job.
• obscure — (of meaning) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain: an obscure sentence in the contract.
• misrepresent — to represent incorrectly, improperly, or falsely.
• hide — Informal. to administer a beating to; thrash.
• distort — to twist awry or out of shape; make crooked or deformed: Arthritis had distorted his fingers.

See also

• All definitions of define
• Synonyms for define
• Antonyms for define
• Related words to define
• Sentences with the word define
• Words that rhyme with define
• define pronunciation
• The plural of define
• The past tense of define

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