The meaning of DEFINE is to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of. How to use define in a sentence.

DEFINE definition: to state or set forth the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.). See examples of define used in a sentence.

define your terms Before I answer your question, could you define your terms a little more (= explain what you mean by the words you have used)? Your rights and responsibilities are defined in the …

If you define something, you say exactly what it is or exactly what it means. The government defines a household as `a group of people who live in the same house'.

Find 83 different ways to say DEFINES, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.

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 …

Likewise, anything you can describe completely is something you can define. The early French and Latin roots of the verb mean something closer to "to limit" or "to create a boundary," but this is really what …

Jan 20, 2026 · Verb define (third-person singular simple present defines, present participle defining, simple past and past participle defined) To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to …

She believes that success should be defined in terms of health and happiness. Tigers are broadly/loosely defined [=described very generally] as large cats. He narrowly defines [=describes …

Define definition: To give form or meaning to.