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.

The defining mistake of the past 40 years of retirement planning is treating Social Security as a guaranteed floor strong enough to anchor everything else.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

Lawyers also dug up archaic legal tracts and 19th century dictionary entries defining the word “election.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

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 irony, of course, is that Elmo’s defining trait is that he likes everyone.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026

What was really just a theatrical side show was now being enshrined in memory as the defining moment in the revolutionary drama.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis