defining

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

From the Greek philosopher Archimedes shouting “eureka” in his bathtub to the German psychologist Karl Bühler defining the concept of an “Aha!” moment two centuries later, sudden jolts of realization can hit rather quickly.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

The tensions between the U.S. and Israel are becoming a defining characteristic of the current phase of the war, much as unprecedented close cooperation between the two allies marked its beginning.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

They are one of the city’s defining institutions, capable of pulling politicians, celebrities, children’s television characters and millions of everyday fans into the same conversation.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026

By defining these perceptual attributes more rigorously, the researchers have supplied a missing piece in Schrödinger's long standing vision for a closed mathematical model of color.

From Science Daily • Jun. 7, 2026

I just need to figure out who I am without school, or family, or anything else defining me.

From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart