# definition

Pronunciation: say "def-i-NISH-uhn" /ˌdɛf.ɪˈnɪʃ.ən/

## Noun

1. A statement that explains the meaning of a word, phrase, or symbol, or says exactly what something is.
   - Simple: Words that explain what a word means, or say exactly what something is.
   - _Each entry in the dictionary pairs a headword with a clear definition._
   - _She argued that the legal definition of 'resident' excluded temporary workers._
2. The act of defining something: stating what it means or fixing exactly what it covers and where its limits are.
   - Simple: The act of saying exactly what something means or where its limits are.
   - _The definition of key terms is the first step in drafting any contract._
   - _Precise definition of the problem made the solution obvious._
3. Clearness and sharpness of outline, especially in an image, with distinct edges and visible detail.
   - Simple: How sharp and clear the edges and details of something, such as a picture, are.
   - _The high-resolution screen rendered the map with remarkable definition._
   - _Cheap lenses blur the edges and lose definition toward the corners._
4. A clear instance that conforms exactly to the textbook idea of something.
   - Simple: A clear example that matches exactly what something is supposed to be.
   - _His calm response under pressure was the definition of professionalism._
   - _The tiny lamp-lit café was the definition of cozy._
5. Clarity of reproduced sound, especially the crispness with which music comes through.
   - Simple: How clear and crisp sound is, especially music played through speakers or headphones.
   - _Audiophiles praised the speaker's definition in the high frequencies._
   - _A high-quality vinyl pressing preserves the definition of each instrument._
6. The sharpness with which individual muscles stand out beneath the skin.
   - Simple: How clearly you can see each separate muscle on someone's body.
   - _The bodybuilder's abs showed remarkable definition on stage._
   - _Low body fat brought out the definition across her back and shoulders._

## Other meanings

- (noun) In programming, a statement that fully creates a named item, for example by setting aside storage for a variable or supplying a function's body.
- (noun) The part of a cryptic clue that gives the straight meaning of the answer, usually separate from the wordplay.

## Origin

The Latin verb dēfīniō gave the noun dēfīnītiō, which passed into Middle French as definition and then into Middle English as diffinicioun. In English terms it is define plus -ition.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/definition (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).