define
verb-
to say or explain what the meaning of a word or phrase is 解释（词语的含义）；给…下定义 - define something
The term ‘mental illness’ is difficult to define. “精神病” 这个词很难下定义。 - define something as something
Life imprisonment is defined as 60 years under state law. 按照州法律终身监禁定义为 60 年。
Language Bank definedefineDefining terms 为术语下定义 It is important to clarify what is meant by climate change. 说清楚 “气候变化” 的含义很重要。
Climate change can/may be defined as ‘the long-term fluctuations in temperature, precipitation, wind and other aspects of the earth’s climate’. 气候变化可以被定义为 “地球气候在温度、降水量、风力及其他方面的长期波动”。
A generally accepted definition of global warming is the gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere due to the greenhouse effect. 对于全球变暖，普遍接受的一种定义是：由于受到温室效应的影响，地球大气层总体温度逐渐上升。
The greenhouse effect is defined by the author as the process by which heat from the sun is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere, causing the temperature of the earth to rise. 作者将温室效应定义为：地球大气层锁住来自太阳的热量，导致地球温度上升的过程。
The author uses the term climate change to refer to any significant change in measures of climate lasting for an extended period. 作者使用 “气候变化” 这个术语来指代任何持续较长时间的气候的显著变化。
The term ‘carbon footprint’ refers to the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of an individual or organization. “碳足迹” 这个术语指的是由于个人或组织的活动排放到大气层中的二氧化碳的量。
Scientists suggest that increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will result in an increase in global temperatures, and the term ‘global warming’ is used to describe this phenomenon. 科学家认为大气层中二氧化碳的增加会导致全球气温上升，“全球变暖” 这个术语就是用来描述这种现象的。
Extra ExamplesThread count is defined as the number of threads in one square inch of fabric. 织物经纬密度的定义为每平方英寸织物中线的根数。 Marriage is defined broadly enough in everyday English to cover same-sex marriages as well as the different-sex kind. 婚姻在日常英语中的定义足够宽泛，既包括同性婚姻，也包括异性婚姻。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- accurately
- carefully
- correctly
- …
- be difficult to
- be impossible to
- be easy to
- …
- as
- by
- in terms of
- …
- define something
-
to describe or show the nature or range of somebody/something 阐明；明确；界定 - define something
The goals of the project are clearly defined. 项目目标明确。 At that time women's roles were quite narrowly defined. 那时，女性的角色定义相当狭窄。 to be broadly/loosely defined 定义宽泛/宽泛 The difficulty of a problem was defined in terms of how long it took to complete. 问题的难易度是以解决这个问题所花时间的长短而定的。 - define what, how, etc…
It is difficult to define what makes him so popular. 很难解释清楚什么原因使他如此走红。 - define yourself (as something)
He defines himself as an independent. 他把自己定义为一个独立的人。 We have never defined ourselves in our own right. 我们从来没有用自己的权利来定义自己。
Extra ExamplesSocial values are not easy to define. 社会价值观定义起来并非易事。 The characters and story are well defined. 人物和故事都很明确。 The northern boundary of the US was defined through negotiation with Great Britain. 美国的北部边界是通过与英国谈判确定的。 We have chosen to define the scope of our study quite broadly. 我们已决定把研究范围界定得笼统些。 There may be problems if responsibilities are not adequately defined. 如果责任没有充分界定，就可能出现问题。 This type of lymphoma is defined by the presence of specific malignant cells. 这种淋巴瘤确诊的依据是某些恶性肿瘤细胞的存在。 the culturally defined role of women 从文化角度定义的女性角色 The horizontal and vertical angles of view define the limits of what is seen in the painting. 水平和垂直的视角定义了画中所见的界限。 The Institute defines itself as the agency supporting basic biomedical research. 该研究所将自己定义为支持基础生物医学研究的机构。 A ghost story may be broadly defined as a story concerned with the power of the dead to return and confront the living. 鬼故事可以广义地定义为一个关于死者返回并面对生者的力量的故事。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- accurately
- carefully
- correctly
- …
- be difficult to
- be impossible to
- be easy to
- …
- as
- by
- in terms of
- …
- define something
to make or establish the essential character or somebody/something 解释（词语的含义）；给…下定义 - define somebody/something
For some, the football club defines their identity. 对于一些人来说, 足球俱乐部表明了他们的身份。 to define the nature/character of somebody/something 定义某人/某物的性质/特征 - define yourself
The novel told the story of a preacher-poet, who defines himself through his art. 这部小说讲述了一个传教士诗人的故事，他通过自己的艺术来定义自己。
- define somebody/something
- define something
to show clearly a line, shape or edge 画出…的线条；描出…的外形；确定…的界线；界定
Word Originlate Middle English (also in the sense ‘bring to an end)’: from Old French definer, from a variant of Latin definire, from de- (expressing completion) + finire ‘finish’ (from finis ‘end’).