define - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

define

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/dɪˈfaɪn/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/dɪˈfaɪn/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(di fīn′)

Inflections of 'define' (v): (⇒ conjugate)
defines
v 3rd person singular
defining
v pres p
defined
v past
defined
v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024
de•fine /dɪˈfaɪn/USA pronunciation   v. [ ~ + obj], -fined, -fin•ing. 
  1. to set forth the meaning of:His job was to define new words that were not yet in the dictionaries.
  2. to explain or identify the nature of;
    describe:We had to define what our problems were before we could solve them.
  3. to determine or fix the boundaries of;
    specify clearly:to define responsibilities.
  4. to make clear the outline or form of;
    delineate:The black tree was clearly defined against a yellow background.
de•fin•er, n. [countable]See -fin-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024
de•fine  (di fīn′),USA pronunciation v. -fined, -fin•ing. 
v.t. 
  1. to state or set forth the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.):They disagreed on how to define "liberal.''
  2. to explain or identify the nature or essential qualities of;
    describe:to define judicial functions.
  3. to fix or lay down definitely;
    specify distinctly:to define one's responsibilities.
  4. to determine or fix the boundaries or extent of:to define property with stakes.
  5. to make clear the outline or form of:The roof was boldly defined against the sky.

v.i. 
  1. to set forth the meaning of a word, phrase, etc.;
    construct a definition.
  • Latin dēfīnīre to limit, define, equivalent. to dē- de- + fīnīre; see finish
  • Anglo-French, Old French definer to put an end to
  • Middle English def(f )inen 1325–75
de•fin′a•ble, adj. 
de•fin′a•bil′i•ty, n. 
de•fin′a•bly, adv. 
de•fine′ment, n. 
de•fin′er, n. 
    • 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged state, name, describe, detail, enumerate.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
define /dɪˈfaɪn/ vb (transitive)
  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
Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French definer to determine, from Latin dēfīnīre to set bounds to, from fīnīre to finish

deˈfinable adj deˈfiner n
'define' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Dedekind cut - Expressionism - Huygens principle - International Practical Temperature Scale - Lambeth Conference - aorist - aphorism - aphorize - beat - circumscribe - coordinate - cross hairs - definiendum - definiens - definite - definitive - degree - determine - dimension - element - elusive - emergent norms - fix - formulate - galactic coordinates - input/output - meander - meander line - misdefine - nondescript - peg - phase space - pin down - pinpoint - predefine - range line - redefine - resolving power - scoping study - set - shape - silver standard - spherical coordinates - township line - vicious circle - visual acuity
Collocations: define the [word, phrase], the [word] is defined as, define in detail, more...

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