Definition Examples (Types Explained)

In daily communication, we use definitions constantlysometimes without even realizing it. From defining love to explaining a scientific concept, definitions help us understand and be understood. In this article, you will not only understand what a definition is, you will find dozens of definition examples and I will take you by the hand to show how they are used.

Let's start!

What is a Definition?

A definition it is a clear and precise explanation of a term or concept, which allows us to identify and differentiate it from others. In simple words, it is like a label that helps us understand what something is and how it is related to other things.

Why are definitions so important?

Because they are an essential tool for effective communication. Imagine that you are trying to describe a cactus to someone who has never seen one. How would you do it without using a definition? It would probably be very complicated.

With a definition, you can say something like: "A cactus is a plant that usually lives in desert climates and has spines instead of leaves." Now, that person has a much clearer mental image of what a cactus is.

Definitions also play a crucial role in learning and education. When you learn something new, you usually start by understanding the definition of the key concepts. For example, if you're studying biology, you'll likely start by understanding what a cell, an organism, or photosynthesis is.

By understanding the definitions, you can build a deeper and more detailed knowledge on the topic.

But not all definitions are equal. There are different types of definitions that are used in different contexts, and it is important to understand which is the most appropriate in each case. Let's discover them together in the next section.

Types of Definitions

explicit definitions

Explicit definitions are those that directly describe what a term is.

10 examples

1. Dog: A dog is a domestic animal of the Canidae family.
2. Book: A book is a set of printed and bound sheets containing text and images.
3. Piano: A piano is a stringed musical instrument that is played using a keyboard.
4. Star: A star is a luminous sphere of plasma that emits light and heat due to nuclear fusion in its core.
5. Mountain: A mountain is a natural elevation of the land greater than 700 meters from its base.
6. Love: Love is an intense feeling of affection towards another person.
7. Democracy: Democracy is a form of government in which power is exercised by the people.
8. Justice: Justice is the moral principle that inclines to act and judge respecting the truth and giving each one what corresponds to him.
9. Resilience: Resilience is the ability of an individual or community to recover from adversity or trauma.
10. Happiness: Happiness is a state of satisfaction and well-being.

implicit definitions

Implicit definitions do not directly describe what a term is, but imply it through the description of its characteristics or its context.

10 examples

1. Elephant: The largest animal that walks on earth with a long trunk and fangs.
2. Freedom: The state in which you can do whatever you want without unnecessary restrictions.
3. Forest: A place where trees and wildlife abound.
4. Cell phone: A device that you always carry with you to keep in touch with others.
5. Friendship: A relationship in which you enjoy each other's company and support each other.
6. Coffee: The drink that many take to start their day.
7. Dream: That state in which you live adventures while your eyes are closed.
8. Guitar: An instrument that has six strings and is played with the fingers or with a pick.
9. Internet: The place where you can find almost any information you are looking for.
10. Art: What you see in museums and provokes emotions and thoughts.

Operational definitions

Operational definitions are those that explain how something works or how it is measured. They are common in the field of science and research.

10 examples

1. Speed: Velocity is defined as the distance traveled by an object per unit of time.
2. Intelligence: In psychology, intelligence is often measured through intelligence quotient (IQ).
3. Health: The World Health Organization defines health not only as the absence of disease, but also as a state of physical, mental and social well-being.
4. Depression: In psychology, depression is often defined by a set of symptoms such as persistent sadness, loss of interest in pleasurable activities and difficulty performing daily tasks for at least two weeks.
5. Poverty: The World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than $1.90 a day.
6. calories: In nutrition, a calorie is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.
7. Force: In physics, force is defined as any interaction that, when not opposed, will change the motion of an object.
8. Culture: UNESCO defines culture as the set of distinctive spiritual and material, intellectual and emotional characteristics that characterize a society or a social group.
9. Biodiversity: The Convention on Biological Diversity defines biodiversity as the variability of living organisms of from any source, including, among other things, terrestrial, marine, and other ecosystems aquatic.
10. Success: Success can be defined as the achievement of personal objectives or goals.

Ostensive Definitions

Ostensive definitions are those that describe something through demonstration or direct pointing.

10 examples

1. If you're in a park and point to a poodle, you can say, "That's a dog."
2. In a supermarket, you can point to an apple and say, "That's a fruit."
3. In an art class, the teacher might point to a Picasso and say, "That's cubism."
4. In a garden, you can point to a rose and say, "That's a flower."
5. On the beach, you can point to the sea and say, "That's the ocean."
6. At a music concert, you can point to the singer and say, "That's a singer."
7. In a biology class, the teacher might point to a human skeleton and say, "That's the skeletal system."
8. In a history museum, a guide might point to a dinosaur fossil and say, "That's a dinosaur."
9. In an auto shop, you can point to an engine and say, "That's an engine."
10. On a farm, you can point to a horse and say, "That's a horse."

Lexical or Dictionary Definitions

Lexical or dictionary definitions are those found in a dictionary, and provide the most commonly accepted meaning of a word.

10 examples

1. Home: Building to live.
2. Love: Intense feeling of the human being who, starting from his own insufficiency, needs and seeks the encounter and union with another being.
3. Light: Radiation that makes objects visible.
4. Freedom: Natural faculty that man has to act in one way or another, and not to act, for which he is responsible for his actions.
5. TRUE: Conformity of things with the concept that the mind forms of them.
6. Education: Process of socialization and endoculturation of people through which physical capacities are developed and intellectual, abilities, skills, study techniques and forms of behavior ordered with a purpose social.
7. I respect: Regard, consideration, deference.
8. Life: State of activity of organic beings.
9. Happiness: State of mind that is pleased in the possession of a good.
10. Time: Measure of the duration or separation of events subject to change, of which the present is only immediate.

Stipulative Definitions

Stipulative definitions are those that assign a meaning to a word or phrase, and are often used in arguments or debates to avoid misunderstandings.

10 examples

1. Social justice: For the purpose of this discussion, we define social justice as equal opportunity for all members of society.
2. Feminism: In this article, we will define feminism as the belief in equal rights and opportunities for all genders.
3. Success: For our discussion, we are going to define success as the personal satisfaction derived from achieving personal goals, rather than measuring it in monetary terms.
4. Welfare: In this study, we will define well-being as a state of satisfaction with personal and professional life.
5. Love: For the purpose of our discussion, we will define love as the desire to promote the welfare of another person.
6. Artificial intelligence: In the context of this lecture, we will define artificial intelligence as the ability of a machine to mimic human intelligence.
7. Quality education: For this discussion, quality education will be defined as that which equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the 21st century.
8. Diversity: In this context, we will define diversity as inclusion and respect for differences of race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, religion and age.
9. Health: For this report, health will be defined as a state of physical, mental and social well-being, and not simply the absence of disease or infirmity.
10. Sustainable development: In this context, we will define sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Persuasive Definitions

Persuasive definitions are those that attempt to influence our attitude toward the term being defined. They can be subjective and are often emotionally charged.

10 examples

1. Terrorism: A cowardly and despicable act that causes harm and fear to innocent people.
2. Bullying: A cruel and painful act of abuse that damages people's self-esteem and well-being.
3. Corruption: A dishonorable and selfish act that undermines integrity and trust in institutions.
4. Discrimination: An unfair and harmful practice that violates the rights and dignity of people.
5. Social justice: A noble and essential search for equality and equity for all.
6. Generosity: A commendable and admirable act of giving without expecting anything in return.
7. Educate: A beautiful and valuable act of empowering people through knowledge.
8. Volunteering: An honorable and selfless service to others.
9. Personal growth: An admirable and respectable path to growth and improvement.
10. Empathy: A valuable and human quality of understanding and sharing the feelings of others.

Comparative Table of Definitions

To summarize and facilitate the understanding of the different types of definitions, a comparative table is presented below.

Definition Type	Description	Use
Royal or Essential	Explains the nature or essence of a concept.	In philosophy, logic and science.
Nominal	Describes a concept in terms of what it designates.	In dictionaries and common language.
Operational	It explains how something works or how it is measured.	In science and research.
ostensive	Describes something through demonstration or direct pointing.	In teaching and everyday communication.
Lexical or Dictionary	Provides the most commonly accepted meaning of a word.	In daily reading and writing.
stipulative	Assign meaning to a word or phrase.	In arguments or debates to avoid misunderstandings.
persuasive	It tries to influence our attitude towards the term being defined.	In rhetoric and political discourse.

Why are definitions important?

Definitions are the foundation of our understanding and our ability to communicate. They provide us with a framework within which we can understand a concept and allow us to express our ideas clearly and concisely.

The importance of definitions in communication and understanding

Definitions allow us to share ideas and understand the world around us. When we use clear definitions, we can avoid misunderstandings and make sure everyone is on the same page. Thus, definitions are an essential tool for effective communication.

The role of definitions in education and learning

In the educational field, definitions are essential for learning and the development of intellectual abilities. They allow us to understand new concepts and apply that understanding in different contexts. In addition, they help students to develop critical thinking skills, since it allows them to analyze and evaluate different definitions.

How to Create a Good Definition?

When formulating a definition, it is important to consider several aspects. A good definition must be clear, precise and coherent. It should also be as simple as possible, without losing the essential meaning of the term being defined.

Aspects to consider when formulating a definition

When formulating a definition, the following aspects should be taken into account:

• The meaning of the word or phrase.
• Common use of the word or phrase.
• The relationship of the word or phrase to other related words or phrases.

5 Steps to Create a Definition

Here are some steps that may be helpful in creating a definition:

1. Identify the term to define.
2. Explore the basic or common meaning of the term.
3. Consider the context in which the definition will be used.
4. Write a preliminary definition.
5. Refine and adjust the definition until it is clear, precise, and consistent.

Practical exercises

To practice creating definitions, here are some exercises:

1. Choose a term and write a nominal definition and a real definition of that term.
2. Look up a word in the dictionary and write a stipulative definition of that word.
3. Think of an abstract concept and write an ostensive definition of that concept.
4. Identify a word with a strong emotional meaning and write a persuasive definition of that word.
5. Choose a scientific concept and write an operational definition of that concept.

And with this, we have finished our journey through the different types of definitions. I hope this article has provided you with a deeper understanding of this fascinating topic.