/ dɪˈfaɪn; NAmE / verb
1.
[ vn ] define sth (as sth) to say or explain what the meaning of a word or phrase is :
The term 'mental illness' is difficult to define.
Life imprisonment is defined as 60 years under state law.
2.
to describe or show sth accurately :
[ vn ]
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.
[ v wh- ]
It is difficult to define what makes him so popular.
3.
[ vn ] to show clearly a line, shape or edge :
The mountain was sharply defined against the sky.
► de·fin·able adjective
••
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).