Meaning & use
the definition of a
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
The meaning or explanation of a single thing, especially a word or idea, when it is one of many.
Grammar: Used before a singular countable noun: the definition of a term, the definition of a problem.
Patterns
- the definition of a word
- the definition of a term
- the definition of a concept
Can you give me the definition of a noun?
The definition of a good leader varies from person to person.
I looked up the definition of a new word I saw in the article.
Common combinations
- the definition of a word
- The teacher asked for the definition of a difficult word.
- the definition of a term
- The definition of a legal term can be very precise.
- the definition of a concept
- Philosophers debate the definition of a concept like justice.
Synonyms and how they differ
- meaning
- 'Meaning' is more general and can refer to what something suggests or implies, while 'definition' is a formal statement of meaning.
Commonly confused: the definition of a or the definition of?
the definition of a vs the definition of
Without 'a,' this phrase can refer to a general or abstract thing, not one specific item.
Practice
Complete the sentence: 'She asked for ___ of a metaphor.'
Choose one answer.
The phrase is 'the definition of a metaphor' because it refers to one specific explanation. 'A definition' is possible but less natural here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the definition of a”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.