define in terms of

USAGE SUMMARY

'define in terms of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain a concept in terms of other concepts. For example, you could say "You can define ambition in terms of perseverance and goal setting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A unique freak as autobiographies go, Mr. Nabokov's book is easier to define in terms of what it is not than in terms of what it is.

The New Yorker

The result is abandonment of the "public" in the name of "service," which David Giovannoni and other consultants define in terms of the dollars pledged per program.

The New York Times - Arts

Rational numbers were easy to define in terms of the integers, but now integers could be defined by means of sets.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Kronos philosophy has always been too broad to define in terms of market share and too earnest to characterize as pandering.

The New York Times

The transcendental slow movement, the hymn of thanksgiving, which is both the architectural and emotional heart of Op 132, suddenly takes off into another dimension altogether, one impossible to define in terms of the norms of the classical or early romantic eras.

The Guardian

The movie, with its near-absolute absence of inner life, presents a material fantasy that flatters the studious humanism of critics who honor the attention to so-called reality which they define in terms of physical phenomena and everyday people as an aesthetic endowed with a quasi-political virtue.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In most areas of economics, efficiency is defined in terms of how well markets allocate resources.

The New Yorker

In the new digital age, generations are defined in terms of 18 months.

The Guardian

It turns out that, while complex geodesics are transcendental objects defined in terms of analysis and differential geometry, their closures are algebraic objects defined in terms of polynomials and therefore have certain rigidity properties.

The Guardian

In this rarified company, "best" needs to be carefully defined in terms of speed, power, comfort, utility or sophistication.

The New York Times

Furthermore, that self is, as we saw in blog 6, defined in terms of being-towards-death.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "define in terms of" when you are explaining a concept using more basic concepts.

Common error

Avoid using overly technical or jargon-filled terms when you "define in terms of" simpler concepts; this defeats the purpose of providing clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "define in terms of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the elements or concepts used to clarify the meaning of a particular term or idea. It serves to establish a relationship between the term being defined and the terms that provide its definition. As Ludwig indicates, it's used to explain a concept through other concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "define in terms of" is a valuable tool for providing clear and precise explanations by relating concepts to more familiar or fundamental elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and widely applicable phrase across diverse contexts. It is most frequently encountered in scientific, news, and encyclopedia settings. When using "define in terms of", be mindful of using clear, accessible terms to avoid overcomplicating your definition. By mastering this phrase, you enhance your ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identify in terms of

Focuses on recognizing and specifying something based on particular criteria.

establish in terms of

Emphasizes setting up or creating a definition based on specific parameters.

determine in terms of

Highlights the process of figuring out or ascertaining a definition using certain factors.

delineated in terms of

Focuses on describing or outlining something with precision using specific attributes.

specified in terms of

Highlights providing explicit details when defining the object.

describes in terms of

It highlights use of different attributes of description to define.

articulated in terms of

Focuses on expressing definition in a clear and detailed way.

defining in relation to

Expresses the action of defining an element based on its relation with other element.

define with respect to

Defines the element considered its aspects in relation with something else.

define by means of

Similar to "define in terms of" but focuses on the method or tool used for defining.

FAQs

What does "define in terms of" mean?

The phrase "define in terms of" means to explain or describe something by using or referencing specific qualities, characteristics, or other concepts. It's about clarifying one thing by relating it to others.

How can I use "define in terms of" in a sentence?

You might say, "We can "define ambition in terms of" perseverance and goal setting", illustrating how ambition is explained through those qualities.

What are some alternatives to "define in terms of"?

Consider alternatives like "identify in terms of", "establish in terms of", or "determine in terms of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "define in terms of" instead of simply "define"?

"Define in terms of" is useful when you want to explicitly state the criteria or concepts you are using to clarify the meaning of something, rather than just giving a straightforward definition.