DEFINING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does defining mean? 

• DEFINING (noun)
  The noun DEFINING has 1 sense:

1. any process serving to define the shape of something

  Familiarity information: DEFINING used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DEFINING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any process serving to define the shape of something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

defining; shaping

Hypernyms ("defining" is a kind of...):

physical process; process (a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes through a series of states)

Derivation:

define (show the form or outline of)

 Context examples 

Nonprofits generally do not operate to generate profit, and this characteristic is popularly considered to be the defining characterisitic of such organizations.

(Nonprofit Organization, NCI Thesaurus)

A system for defining prognosis for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

(FIGO Staging System and Modified World Health Organization [WHO] Prognostic Scoring System for Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasms, NCI Thesaurus)

The rod-shaped body, composed of cells derived from the mesoblast and defining the primitive axis of the embryo.

(Notochord, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Denotes those persons of mainly Arabic speakers who regard themselves as a distinct branch of the Arabic-speaking peoples, with family origin in Palestine being the defining characteristic.

(Palestinian, NCI Thesaurus)

NOTE(S): Whether administrative or preparatory activities are included in this time frame is up to whoever is defining the activity - this time frame is all that matters when the activity occurred.

(Performed Activity Actual Date Range, NCI Thesaurus/BRIDG)

It is a useful tool in defining characteristics and monitoring such conditions as obstructive lung disease, asthma, and bronchitis.

(Peak Expiratory Flow, NCI Thesaurus)

URIs are defined in schemes defining a specific syntax and associated protocols.

(Document Version Uniform Resource Locator, NCI Thesaurus/BRIDG)

Some mental health professionals find this very helpful in defining effective methods for treating chronic pain and pain syndromes.

(Interpretive Therapy, NCI Thesaurus)

Defining these differences may help identify children at elevated risk for developing food allergies.

(Scientists identify unique subtype of eczema linked to food allergy, National Institutes of Health)

The head-on collision of the Sausage galaxy was a defining event in the early history of the Milky Way.

(The Gaia Sausage: the major collision that changed the Milky Way, University of Cambridge)