rhizoverbBeta
DictionarydefineExplaining meaning
verb

define

dih-FYNE/dɪˈfaɪn/

To establish the precise boundaries or identity of something.

The teacher defines a triangle by pointing out its three straight sides.

A Black woman teacher states what a triangle is while pointing to a single drawn three-sided triangle on a plain board, touching each side with a small pointer.
Etymology
deLatincompletely
+fineLatinto bound, limit

The underlying image is setting complete bounds around something. Applied to meaning, those bounds establish exactly what a word or thing signifies, turning limitation into precise explanation.

In context

UC Berkeley Events28:09
to define the meter, let's use the earth. And they defined the meter to be one 1/10,000,000th of the distance between the pole and the equator along a Meridian that goes through Paris.
A New Measure: The Revolutionary, Quantum Reform of the Modern Metric System

More examples

  • Can you define this term in plain English?
  • A row of trees defines the edge of the property.
  • Her patience and kindness define her approach to teaching.

Forms

define · defines · defined · defining

definition noun — A statement of something's precise meaning.

definable adjective — Able to be described or identified precisely.

Similar words

delimit
Focuses on marking boundaries rather than explaining meaning.
clarify
Makes something easier to understand without necessarily setting precise limits.
specify
Gives exact details rather than establishing an overall meaning.