DEFINITIVE

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does definitive mean? 

• DEFINITIVE (adjective)
  The adjective DEFINITIVE has 3 senses:

1. clearly defined or formulated

2. of recognized authority or excellence

3. supplying or being a final or conclusive settlement

  Familiarity information: DEFINITIVE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DEFINITIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Clearly defined or formulated

Synonyms:

definitive; unequivocal

Context example:

the plain and unequivocal language of the laws

Similar:

explicit; expressed (precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of recognized authority or excellence

Synonyms:

authoritative; definitive

Context example:

the definitive work on Greece

Similar:

standard (established or well-known or widely recognized as a model of authority or excellence)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Supplying or being a final or conclusive settlement

Synonyms:

definitive; determinate

Context example:

a determinate answer to the problem

Similar:

conclusive (forming an end or termination; especially putting an end to doubt or question)

 Context examples 

A rare epithelial tumor arising from the fallopian tube without definitive morphologic characteristics of malignancy.

(Borderline Fallopian Tube Neoplasm, NCI Thesaurus)

An epithelial tumor arising from the ovary without definitive morphologic characteristics of malignancy.

(Borderline Ovarian Surface Epithelial-Stromal Tumor, NCI Thesaurus)

Blast cells are in an immature (undifferentiated) stage in cellular development, occurring before the appearance of the definitive characteristics exhibited by fully differentiated cells.

(Blast Cell, NCI Thesaurus)

No definitive point-of-care clinical diagnostic test currently exists for amatoxin poisoning.

(New Test Identifies Poisonous Mushrooms, Agricultural Research Service)

The definitive architecture of the mammalian body is established shortly after the embryo implants into the uterus.

(Scientists develop mouse ‘embryo-like structures’ with organisation along body’s major axes, University of Cambridge)

Usually, this category includes carcinomas without definitive diagnoses due to a small amount of material, or its low quality.

(Carcinoma, Other, of the Mouse Pulmonary System, NCI Thesaurus/MMHCC)

The event must be definitive pharmacologically or phenomenologically, using a satisfactory rechallenge procedure if necessary.

(Definitely Related to Intervention, NCI Thesaurus)

The only definitive indicator of malignancy is the presence of regional or distant metastases.

(Paraganglioma, NCI Thesaurus)

This procedure may be used as a definitive treatment in stages of periodontal disease and/or as a part of pre-surgical procedures in others.

(Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing, NCI Thesaurus)

TNM clinical findings are based on information obtained prior to the first definitive treatment through physical examination, diagnostic imaging, biopsy or laboratory testing.

(Ovarian Cancer Clinical TNM Finding v6, NCI Thesaurus)