Definition Meaning
/ˌdɛf.ɪˈnɪʃ.ən/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA statement of the meaning of a word, word group, sign, or symbol; especially, a dictionary definition.
nounA clear instance conforming to the dictionary or textbook definition.
Sentence Examples
Look up the definition of 'guy' in your dictionary.
Can you give me the definition of a cone?
CEFR Practice Quiz
The legal ____ of negligence varies across different jurisdictions.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Look up the ____ of 'guy' in your dictionary.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English diffinicioun, from Middle French definition, from Latin dēfīnītiō, from dēfīniō. Equivalent to define + -ition.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"DEFINITIONS mean nothing unless the concept in the mind of the men who makes the definition is the same as that in the mind of the man who hears it."
— 1925, Thomas R. Marshall, Recollections of Thomas R. Marshall, Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC, →OL, page 65:
"Phrases such as “woman of the moment” were added to equal the old saying of the “man of the moment.” And one of the definitions of “woman” now refers to a “person’s wife, girlfriend, or female lover,” as opposed to being tied to only a man."
— 2020 November 9, Christina Zdanowicz, “Oxford dictionaries change ‘sexist’ and outdated definitions of the word ‘woman’”, in CNN:
"Comedy Bang! Bang! It’s silly, it spoofy – it’s the very definition of a hidden gem"
— 2016 March 1, Stuart Heritage, “Comedy Bang! Bang! It’s silly, it spoofy - it’s the very definition of a hidden gem”, in The Guardian:
"That Trump just came out and asked for Zelensky to investigate the Bidens – after reminding him several times of how much the US did for Ukraine!!!! – is something very close to the textbook definition of a quid pro quo."
— 2019 September 25, Chris Cilizza, “The Ukraine call ‘transcript’ is pretty darn close to a smoking gun”, in ThePo!nt, CNN:
"However, some clues include words that do not form part of the wordplay or the definition."
— 2014, Henry Howarth, Learn How to Solve Cryptic Crosswords: A Course for Beginners, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 59:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The legal ____ of negligence varies across different jurisdictions.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Look up the ____ of 'guy' in your dictionary.