define a border

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "define a border" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the establishment or clarification of boundaries, whether physical, political, or conceptual. Example: "In order to resolve the conflict, we need to define a border that both parties can agree upon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The whole point was to define a border: this is our side; that is your side.

The New Yorker

Israeli officials said they were not willing to define a border until they received clear answers from the Palestinians about the nature of the state they intend to establish on the other side.

The New York Times

Nowhere can this be seen more clearly than in Haiti, where the impoverished nation's barren, brown eroded hills butt up against the lush growth of the Dominical Republic forests to define a border of intense contrast visible from space.

Huffington Post

Interestingly, wnt6 and wnt10b are first expressed along a line that seems to define a border between the dorsal and the ventral body walls.

Breast Cancer Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Specifically the focus should be on defining a border for a Palestinian state.

The New York Times

In general, it is difficult to define a clear border between such pulsatile dynamics and negative autoregulation-driven oscillation, especially in experimental measurements.

Development (Cambridge)

We define a node as border in a community if she has a link to another player that belongs to a different community.

Plosone

He considers the three aspects that define a nation as borders, language, and culture; those aspects inspired the motto of the Paul Revere Society.

Wikipedia

We define a high cell-border energy to prevent cells from adhering to the boundaries of the lattice.

Bulletin of Mathematical Biology

The resulting Treaty of Melno ended the Knights' claims to Samogitia once and for all and defined a permanent border between Prussia and Lithuania.

Wikipedia

In fact, Foxa2 expression defined a distinct border between midline thyroid and ultimobranchial body cells as these tissues approached and coalesced at E13.5 (Fig. 4C,D).

Development (Cambridge)

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "define a border", ensure that the context clearly indicates what entities the border is separating (e.g., countries, regions, concepts).

Common error

Avoid using "define a border" without specifying the criteria or method used for definition. A clear and measurable definition prevents ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "define a border" functions as a verb phrase, where 'define' is the verb and 'a border' is the object. It describes the action of establishing or clarifying a boundary. Ludwig provides examples where it's used in political, geographical, and even biological contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “define a border” is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for describing the act of establishing or clarifying a boundary. While Ludwig indicates that it is a relatively rare phrase, it appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal documents. Usage guidelines suggest ensuring clarity and specificity when defining borders. The phrase functions as a verb phrase, serving the communicative purpose of reducing ambiguity and preventing conflict by explicitly setting limits. Related phrases include "establish a boundary" and "set a border".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish a boundary

Replaces "define" with "establish", focusing on the creation of a boundary.

set a border

Uses "set" as a more concise alternative to "define", implying the action of marking a border.

demarcate a boundary

Employs "demarcate", indicating a precise and formal establishment of a boundary.

delineate a border

Similar to "demarcate", but with an emphasis on outlining the border.

specify a border

Focuses on the detailed specification of the border's characteristics.

determine a border

Highlights the act of figuring out where the border should be.

draw a boundary

Uses "draw" metaphorically to represent the creation of a boundary.

fix a border

Indicates establishing a border in a more permanent or unchangeable sense.

lay down a border

Emphasizes the formal declaration or establishment of a border.

mark out a boundary

Focuses on the act of visibly marking or indicating the extent of a boundary.

FAQs

How can I use "define a border" in a sentence?

You can use "define a border" to describe the act of establishing or clarifying a boundary, as in "The treaty aimed to define a border between the two nations".

What are some alternatives to "define a border"?

Alternatives include "establish a boundary", "set a border", or "demarcate a boundary", depending on the desired level of formality and precision.

Is it better to "define a border" or "establish a border"?

"Define a border" and "establish a border" are often interchangeable, but "define" suggests clarifying an existing boundary, while "establish" implies creating a new one.

What is the importance of accurately defining a border?

Accurately defining a border is crucial for preventing conflicts, managing resources, and ensuring clear jurisdiction. Inaccurate definitions can lead to disputes and misunderstandings.