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definition

def·i·ni·tion
D d

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [def-uh-nish-uh n]
    • /ˌdɛf əˈnɪʃ ən/
    • /ˌdefɪˈnɪʃn/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [def-uh-nish-uh n]
    • /ˌdɛf əˈnɪʃ ən/

Definitions of definition word

  • countable noun definition A definition is a statement giving the meaning of a word or expression, especially in a dictionary. 3
  • uncountable noun definition Definition is the quality of being clear and distinct. 3
  • noun definition a formal and concise statement of the meaning of a word, phrase, etc 3
  • noun definition the act of defining a word, phrase, etc 3
  • noun definition specification of the essential properties of something, or of the criteria which uniquely identify it 3
  • noun definition the act of making clear or definite 3

Information block about the term

Origin of definition

First appearance:

before 1350
One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English diffinicioun < Old French diffinition < Latin dēfīnītiōn- (stem of dēfīnītiō), equivalent to dēfīnīt(us) (see definite) + -iōn- -ion

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Definition

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

definition popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 78% 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".

definition usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for definition

noun definition

  • interpretation — the act of interpreting; elucidation; explication: This writer's work demands interpretation.
  • solution — the act of solving a problem, question, etc.: The situation is approaching solution.
  • rationale — the fundamental reason or reasons serving to account for something.
  • answer — When you answer someone who has asked you something, you say something back to them.
  • translation — the rendering of something into another language or into one's own from another language.

Antonyms for definition

noun definition

  • ambiguity — If you say that there is ambiguity in something, you mean that it is unclear or confusing, or it can be understood in more than one way.
  • nonsense — words or language having little or no sense or meaning.
  • question — a sentence in an interrogative form, addressed to someone in order to get information in reply.
  • vagueness — (of persons) not clear or definite in thought, understanding, or expression: vague about his motives; a vague person.
  • haziness — characterized by the presence of haze; misty: hazy weather.

Top questions with definition

  • what is the definition of?

See also

Matching words

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