commonly accepted definition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commonly accepted definition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a definition that is widely recognized and agreed upon by a particular group or in a specific field. Example: "The commonly accepted definition of democracy emphasizes the importance of free and fair elections."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Experts say consent is at the center of evolving rape and sexual assault laws, but there's no commonly accepted definition.

The Guardian

A commonly accepted definition of nanotechnology is that it deals with devices smaller than 100nm in size.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even a commonly accepted definition of religion has proved difficult to establish, though not for lack of trying.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The most commonly accepted definition – the one used in psychiatry's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the DSM – can be summarized as "compulsive drug use despite negative consequences".

The Guardian - Opinion

Two dollars a day is a commonly accepted definition of the poverty line in developing countries; people above this line are middle-class in the sense that they have moved out of poverty.

The Economist

The commonly accepted definition of recession is two consecutive quarterly declines in G.D.P. "There therefore seems little scope for a return to growth in the fourth quarter," Mr. Williamson said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

The commonly accepted definitions of the gamma-ray and X-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum include some wavelength overlap, with gamma-ray radiation having wavelengths that are generally shorter than a few tenths of an angstrom (10−10 metre) and gamma-ray photons having energies that are greater than tens of thousands of electron volts (eV).

Encyclopedia Britannica

One of the commonly accepted definitions of scientific inquiry is the one published in the National Research Council NRCC) (1996): "Scientific inquiry refers to the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their work.

International Journal of STEM Education

However, commonly accepted definitions of "restrictive" or "liberal" fluid strategies do not exist, making those studies nearly incomparable.

Annals of Intensive Care

A future line of research would be to request data on hospital stays associated with childbirth from hospital discharge databases and validate the accuracy of reporting of some specific and crucial diagnoses for which there are commonly accepted definitions, including eclampsia, thromboembolism and sepsis.

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

As we have seen, there is no commonly accepted, strict definition of singularity, no physically reasonable definition of missing point, and no necessary connection of singular structure, at least as characterized by the presence of incomplete paths, to the presence of curvature pathology.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Provide context when using "commonly accepted definition". This helps to clarify which field or community accepts the definition, especially if the term has multiple interpretations across different disciplines.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "commonly accepted definition" is universally known or agreed upon by everyone. Provide a brief explanation or source for the definition to ensure clarity, as acceptance may vary across different groups or contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commonly accepted definition" functions as a noun phrase. It is typically used to introduce or refer to a definition that is widely recognized and agreed upon by a particular group or within a specific field, as exemplified by Ludwig's diverse collection of real-world sentences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commonly accepted definition" is a useful way to introduce terms that have a broad consensus in a field. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts. While the phrase implies agreement, it's essential to consider the specific context and audience, acknowledging that definitions can evolve or vary across communities. When writing, make sure you are clear about the source of the definition. Alternatives like "generally recognized definition" or "widely recognized definition" can provide similar meaning with slight differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally recognized definition

Replaces "commonly accepted" with "generally recognized", emphasizing widespread acknowledgment.

widely recognized definition

Substitutes "commonly accepted" with "widely recognized", highlighting broad recognition.

standard definition

Uses "standard" instead of "commonly accepted", implying a definition that is the norm.

prevailing definition

Replaces "commonly accepted" with "prevailing", suggesting the definition that is currently dominant.

established definition

Emphasizes that the definition is well-established and not new or experimental.

conventional definition

Indicates that the definition is based on convention and common practice.

agreed-upon definition

Highlights the aspect of agreement and consensus on the definition.

typical definition

Suggests that the definition is representative of what is usually understood.

most frequent definition

Focuses on the frequency with which a particular definition is used.

definition in general use

Highlights that the definition is generally used by people.

FAQs

How can I use "commonly accepted definition" in a sentence?

You can use "commonly accepted definition" to introduce a definition that is widely agreed upon within a particular field. For example, "The "commonly accepted definition" of 'sustainability' is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

What are some alternatives to "commonly accepted definition"?

Alternatives include "generally recognized definition", "widely recognized definition", or "standard definition". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to cite the source of a "commonly accepted definition"?

While not always required, citing the source of a "commonly accepted definition" can add credibility to your writing, especially in academic or professional contexts. It's particularly helpful if the definition is subject to interpretation or debate.

What if there is no "commonly accepted definition" for a term?

If there is no "commonly accepted definition", acknowledge the lack of consensus and consider presenting multiple definitions or outlining the different perspectives on the term. For example, "While there is no "commonly accepted definition" of 'consciousness', various theories propose different explanations."