define

de‧fine S2 W2 AC /dɪˈfaɪn/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Word Family: verb: ↑define; noun: ↑definition; adverb: ↑definitely ≠ ↑indefinitely; adjective: ↑definite ≠ ↑indefinite]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: definer, from Latin definire, from finire 'to limit, end']
1. to describe something correctly and thoroughly, and to say what standards, limits, qualities etc it has that make it different from other things:
the ability to define clients’ needs
The duties of the post are difficult to define.
clearly/well defined
The tasks will be clearly defined by the tutor.
define something as something
70% of the workers can be defined as low-paid.
2. to explain exactly the meaning of a particular word or idea ⇨ definition:
I’ll now try to define the term ‘popular culture’.
define something as something
A budget is defined as ‘a plan of action expressed in money terms’.
Define precisely what you mean by ‘crime’.
3. to show the edge or shape of something clearly ⇨ definition:
The bird has sharply defined black and rust markings.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

define

de·fine AW [define defines defined defining] [dɪˈfaɪn] [dɪˈfaɪn] verb
1. to say or explain what the meaning of a word or phrase is
• ~ sth The term ‘mental illness’ is difficult to define.

• ~ sth as sth Life imprisonment is defined as 60 years under state law.

2. to describe or show sth accurately
• ~ sth We need to define the task ahead very clearly.
• The difficulty of a problem was defined in terms of how long it took to complete.

• ~ what, how, etc… It is difficult to define what makes him so popular.

3. ~ sth to show clearly a line, shape or edge
• The mountain was sharply defined against the sky.
Derived Word: definable

Word Origin:
late Middle English (also in the sense ‘bring to an end)’: from Old French definer, from a variant of Latin definire, from de- (expressing completion) + finire ‘finish’ (from finis ‘end’).
Thesaurus:
define verb T
• The term ‘mental illness’ is difficult to define.
explain • • interpret • • spell sth out • |formal clarify • • expound •
define/explain/spell out/clarify how/what…
define/explain/clarify the position/role/nature/meaning of sth
clearly define/explain/spell out/expound sth
Language Bank:
define
Defining terms
It is important to clarify what is meant by ▪ climate change.
▪ Climate change can ▪ / may be defined as ▪ ‘the long-term fluctuations in temperature, precipitation, wind and other aspects of the earth's climate’.
A generally accepted definition of ▪ global warming is ▪ the gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere due to the greenhouse effect.
▪ The greenhouse effect is defined ▪ by the author as ▪ the process by which heat from the sun is trapped in the earth's atmosphere, causing the temperature of the earth to rise.
▪ The author uses the term ▪ climate change to refer to ▪ any significant change in measures of climate lasting for an extended period.
The term ▪ ‘carbon footprint’ refers to ▪ the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of an individual or organization.
▪ Scientists suggest that increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will result in an increase in global temperatures, and the term ▪ ‘global warming’ is used ▪ to describe this phenomenon.
Language Bank at first
Example Bank:
• Social values are not easy to define.
• There may be problems if responsibilities are not adequately defined.
• This type of lymphoma is defined by the presence of specific malignant cells.
• Thread count is defined as the number of threads in one square inch of fabric.
• We have chosen to define the scope of our study quite broadly.

• the culturally defined role of women

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

define / dɪˈfaɪn / verb [ T ] (EXPLAIN)

B2 to say what the meaning of something, especially a word, is:

In this dictionary 'reality' is defined as 'the state of things as they are, rather than as they are imagined to be'.

Before I answer your question, could you define your terms a little more (= explain what you mean by the words you have used) ?

→ See also well defined

B2 to explain and describe the meaning and exact limits of something:

Your rights and responsibilities are defined in the citizens' charter.

Your role in the project will be strictly defined (= limited to particular areas) .

I'd hate to feel that I was defined by (= that my life got its meaning and importance only from) my job.

definable / dɪˈfaɪ.nə.bl̩ / adjective

definable rules of grammar/syntax

define / dɪˈfaɪn / verb [ T ] (CLEARLY SHOW)

to show clearly the edge of something:

The outline of the castle on the hill was clearly defined against the evening sky.

definable / dɪˈfaɪ.nə.bl̩ / adjective

definable rules of grammar/syntax

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

define

[dɪfa͟ɪn]
♦♦♦
defines, defining, defined
1) VERB If you define something, you show, describe, or state clearly what it is and what its limits are, or what it is like.
  [V wh] The Supreme Court decision could define how far Congress can go in trying to determine the outcome of court cases...
  [V n] I tried to define my own attitude: I found Rosie repulsive, but I didn't hate her.
  Derived words:
  defined ADJ-GRADED usu adv ADJ ...a party with a clearly defined programme and strict rules of membership.
2) VERB If you define a word or expression, you explain its meaning, for example in a dictionary.
  [V n] When people are asked `What is intelligence?' they tend to reply: `I don't know how to define it, but I can certainly recognize it when I see it.'...
  [V n as n] Collins English Dictionary defines a workaholic as `a person obsessively addicted to work'.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

define

de·fine /dɪˈfaɪn/ verb -fines; -fined; -fin·ing [+ obj]
1 : to explain the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.)
• How would you define (the word) “grotesque”?
• a term that is difficult to define
2 : to show or describe (someone or something) clearly and completely
• The government study seeks to define urban poverty.
• Her book aims to define acceptable social behavior.
• He was defined by his passions. [=his passions showed what kind of person he was]
• 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 very specifically] a hero as someone who has earned a medal in battle.
3 : to show the shape, outline, or edge of (something) very clearly
• That fence defines the far edge of the property.
- de·fin·able /dɪˈfaɪnəbəl/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• an easily definable word
• definable risk factors
- defined adj [more ~; most ~]
• a clearly defined neighborhood
• Her cheekbones are well-defined.
- defining adj always used before a noun
• That was the campaign's defining moment. [=the moment that showed very clearly what kind of campaign it was]