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Glite Dictionary
defining

defining

20 4.6
Making something have a clear shape or character
  • noun
  • /dɪˈfaɪnɪŋ/
translation icon : definición
  • And that was a defining moment.
  • defining moment
  • defining feature
  • defining characteristic

Examples

  • Every comic has a defining moment.

    Sweeney Killing Sweeney (2018)

  • The Gulf War of 1990-91 was a defining moment in both regional and international politics.

    Academic text (1996)

  • This is gonna be a defining moment for you.

    Sweeney Killing Sweeney (2018)

  • This is a very defining moment for me.

    Girl Play (2004)

  • This is a defining moment.

    Impurity (2015)

  • Being a good student and a good girl was a defining principle of my identity.

    Academic text (1996)

  • It's our most defining characteristic.

    City Island (2009)

  • There have been three defining moments in Philippine history and culture.

    Academic text (1993)

  • There are defining moments in the history of every nation, moments which delineate our strengths and our character.

    Deterrence (2000)

  • The introduction of the smartphone was adefining moment in technology, changing how we communicate.

Synonyms

shaping
vsdefining
13 3.0

Giving something a particular shape

emphasises creating a distinct character rather than only physical form
fashioning
vsdefining
1 3.9

Making something into a certain shape often by hand

focuses on giving distinct shape and character not craft method

Antonyms

obscuration
1 8.2

Something that stops you from seeing or understanding

How Definitive

formalization
  • US
1 6.7
definition
653 1.3
defining
20 4.6
characterization
  • US
64 4.4
description
549 1.0
outline
59 2.7
impression
777 3.1

Surface Forms

defining singular
definings plural

Morphology

defining = define (transparent) = define + ing

Standard verb-to-noun/participle formation with '-ing' yielding the process or adjectival meaning directly from 'define'.

Etymology

Defining comes from the Latin words finis 'end' or 'boundary' and finire 'to limit', and it is the same root as the common words final and finish. So, to define something is to set its limits or give it shape, which is why 'defining' means giving something its clear form or character.