define

S2 W2

BrE /dɪˈfaɪn/ AmE /dɪˈfaɪn/

verb en → es

past defined pp defined ing defining

1 EXPLAIN/STATE [transitive] B1

to explain the meaning of a word or phrase, or to give information about something in words

definir, explicar, describir

  • define something as something

Collocations define a term · define a concept

  • The dictionary defines the word 'democracy' as 'government by the people'.

    El diccionario define la palabra 'democracia' como 'gobierno por el pueblo'.

2 LIMIT/BOUNDARY [transitive] B1

to mark the limits or boundaries of something, especially an area of land

marcar los límites de algo

  • define a boundary

Collocations define the boundaries of a property · define the limits of an area

  • The river defines the boundary between two countries.

    El río marca la frontera entre dos países.