becomes defined as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becomes defined as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining how a term or concept is formally established or characterized in a specific context. Example: "In this study, the term 'sustainability' becomes defined as the ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

She criticized policies under which "internationalism somehow becomes defined as signing on to bad treaties just to say that you've signed a treaty".

The New York Times

For one, the number of T cells (see article) in a patient's blood must never have fallen below 400 per microlitre the point at which an HIV infection becomes defined as AIDS.

The Economist

By choosing that the importance of increments in the two first variables should be measured relative to the current values of the variables themselves, the relative increment of the LQI becomes defined as a convex combination of the two relative increments.

Structural Safety

But with average rents in London jumping by more than 10percentt a year, what was unaffordable two years ago becomes defined as "affordable," even though wages have barely risen.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The music's driving rhythms, popping bass lines and crisp, choppy guitar became defined as "funk".

The Guardian - Music

Suddenly political leaders scrambled to find solutions to what became defined as "the energy crisis".

The Guardian - Opinion

Heterosexuality became defined as the key indicator of masculinity, with gay men framed as "weak" and "feminine".

The Guardian - Opinion

Because southern European immigrants were more committed to founding clubs and tournaments, football became defined as an "ethnic game".

Encyclopedia Britannica

As Republicans pushed forward with more anti-immigration proposals that, over time, became defined as discriminatory, white voters, especially those who were younger and more educated, fled the party.

The New Yorker

In his seminal 1972 book, Folk Devils and Moral Panics, Stan Cohen outlined the process of a moral panic: A condition, episode, person or group of persons emerges to become defined as a threat to society's values and interests.

The Guardian

The administrative configuration of Rumelia changed frequently until 1864, when the unit of administrative division became defined as the province, or vilayet, which was in turn divided into sancak (subprovinces).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "becomes defined as", ensure the context clearly indicates a shift or evolution in the term's understanding or application.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "becomes defined as" when active voice would provide a more direct and engaging style. Consider revising to an active form where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becomes defined as" functions as a linking phrase, specifically used to indicate how a concept, term, or entity is formally established or characterized within a specific context. Ludwig AI identifies it as a grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

50%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "becomes defined as" serves to clarify how a term or concept's meaning is formally established. While grammatically correct, its use is relatively infrequent, as pointed out by Ludwig AI. It appears in a variety of contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. Consider alternatives like "is characterized as" or "is understood as" for stylistic variation. When using "becomes defined as", ensure the context shows a shift in the term's understanding. Overuse of passive voice should be avoided for a more direct writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Is characterized as

Uses "characterized" instead of "defined", suggesting a description of key attributes rather than a strict definition.

Is classified as

Employs "classified" to indicate categorization based on specific criteria, differing slightly from a general definition.

Is designated as

Replaces "defined" with "designated", implying a formal assignment or labeling of a term.

Is understood as

Uses "understood" to convey a common or accepted interpretation, which can be less formal than a strict definition.

Is interpreted as

Emphasizes the act of interpreting meaning, suggesting a degree of subjectivity compared to a fixed definition.

Comes to be known as

Focuses on the process of a term gaining recognition, rather than its intrinsic definition.

Is essentially

Simplifies the definition to its core essence, omitting formal aspects.

Is tantamount to

Suggests an equivalence or near-equivalence, rather than a precise definition.

Is tantamount to

Implies equivalence, not necessarily definition, suggesting an approximation.

Is synonymous with

Indicates a direct equivalence in meaning, rather than an extended definition.

FAQs

How can I use "becomes defined as" in a sentence?

Use "becomes defined as" to explain how something's meaning or classification changes over time or within a specific context. For example, "As technology evolves, privacy "becomes defined as" something different than it was a decade ago".

What are some alternatives to "becomes defined as"?

Consider alternatives such as "is characterized as", "is classified as", or "is understood as" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Each alternative carries a slightly different implication about the nature of the definition or understanding.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "becomes defined as"?

While "becomes defined as" is inherently passive, you can sometimes rephrase to use active voice for a more direct style. For example, instead of "The problem "becomes defined as" a lack of resources", you could say "We define the problem as a lack of resources".

What's the difference between "is defined as" and "becomes defined as"?

"Is defined as" describes a current or static definition, while "becomes defined as" implies a change or evolution in the definition over time. The latter is used when the meaning has shifted or is in the process of shifting.