best defined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "best defined" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when you want to clarify or specify the most accurate or appropriate definition of a term or concept. Example: "The term 'sustainability' is best defined as the ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

What can be best defined as tokenistic support was made available to staff.

The Guardian

Consistency, friends concur, is Mr. Bezos's real strength in an industry perhaps best defined by turmoil.

The New York Times

It might be best defined as vodka with fruit and spice -- an American-style aquavit.

The New York Times - Food

Rather, life is best defined by the number of days you remember.

The New York Times

Because of elaborate contact tracing, the Singapore outbreak is by far the best defined in the world.

The New York Times

Love, real love for another person, is best defined by the psychiatrist and writer M Scott Peck.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The output from MEME that resembled FPR suggested that the motif was best-defined by MWTTTNC.

BMC Genomics

The probes covered ∼17,000 of the best-defined human transcripts represented as RefSeq.

Plosone

Arabidopsis thaliana represents the best-defined plant model for the characterization of RNA silencing machinery.

Plosone

One of the best-defined transcription factors for the regulation of hematopoiesis is GATA-2.

Blood Cancer Journal

The tumor suppressor p53 is one of the best-defined target proteins of the SIRT1 deacetylase.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "best defined" when you want to indicate the clearest or most agreed-upon meaning of a term, especially in academic or technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "best defined" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "means" or "is" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "best defined" functions as a qualifier indicating the most accurate or appropriate definition of a term or concept. This is supported by Ludwig examples where the phrase introduces a specific meaning chosen from possible alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "best defined" is a phrase used to introduce the most accurate or appropriate definition of a term. As shown by Ludwig, it is common in academic, scientific, and news contexts where precision is valued. While grammatically correct, it should be used sparingly in informal settings. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Remember to consider simpler alternatives like "means" or "is" when writing casually. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "best defined" to enhance clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most accurately defined

Replaces "best" with "most accurately", emphasizing precision.

most appropriately defined

Substitutes "best" with "most appropriately", focusing on suitability.

defined most effectively

Changes the structure to emphasize the effectiveness of the definition.

defined in the most precise way

Adds detail about the precision of the definition.

clearly defined as

Focuses on the clarity of the definition.

most suitably characterized

Replaces "defined" with "characterized", offering a different perspective.

accurately described as

Shifts from defining to describing accurately.

best understood as

Changes the focus to understanding rather than defining.

most comprehensively defined

Emphasizes the completeness of the definition.

ideally defined as

Suggests a perfect or optimal definition.

FAQs

How can I use "best defined" in a sentence?

You can use "best defined" to introduce the most accurate or appropriate definition of a term. For instance, "In this context, 'sustainability' is "best defined" as the ability to meet current needs without compromising future generations".

What are some alternatives to "best defined"?

Alternatives include "most accurately defined", "most appropriately defined", or "clearly defined as", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "best defined"?

It's appropriate to use "best defined" when providing a precise and authoritative definition, particularly in formal writing or academic discussions. Avoid using it in very informal contexts where simpler language suffices.

What's the difference between "best defined" and "well defined"?

"Best defined" suggests the superior or most accurate definition among several possibilities. "Well defined" simply means that something is clearly and precisely defined, without necessarily implying it's the best possible definition.