defined to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"defined to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to introduce a concept or definition of something. For example: "The term 'absurdity' can be defined to be the quality of being unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Elderly people (defined to be those aged 65 and over) numbered 301 or 10.7% of the population.

The Guardian

A topological property is defined to be a property that is preserved under a homeomorphism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Time is defined to be t.

Robotics and Biomimetics

For every, the spectral radius of is defined to be.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

The weight error is defined to be (11).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The norm of an matrix is defined to be (2.7).

Advances in Difference Equations

The Pták function on -algebra is defined to be, where.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

The spectral radius of is defined to be.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Often the elastic and dielectric coefficients are defined to be constant for the sake of simplicity.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

A procedure that attains this lower bound is defined to be asymptotically best.

Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference

A consistent highway geometric design is defined to be one that conforms to the driver's expectations.

Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering (English Edition)

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defined to be" when providing a formal or precise meaning for a term or concept. It adds clarity and authority to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "defined to be" in casual or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "is" or "means" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal and stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defined to be" serves as a definitional verb phrase. Ludwig examples show its use to introduce formal explanations or specifications, providing clarity and precision in defining terms or concepts across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

Encyclopedias

8%

News & Media

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defined to be" is a commonly used phrase for providing formal definitions, predominantly in scientific and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability for clarity and precision. While it's effective in formal settings, it should be used judiciously in informal writing to avoid sounding overly stilted. Alternative phrases like "is known as" or "is termed" can be used depending on the nuance required. Using "defined to be" accurately ensures that your definitions are clear, authoritative, and readily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Termed as

Similar to "defined to be", but often used in more technical or formal contexts.

Known as

Refers to a common or recognized name or description.

Identified as

Focuses on the act of recognizing or categorizing something.

Designated as

Suggests an official or formal assignment of a role or characteristic.

Classified as

Implies a systematic categorization based on specific criteria.

Interpreted to be

Emphasizes a subjective understanding or assignment of meaning, rather than a formal definition.

Regarded as

Signifies a general opinion or assessment.

Considered as

Indicates a more subjective evaluation or perspective.

Characterized by

Highlights the distinguishing attributes or features of something.

Meant to be

Indicates a purpose or intention, not necessarily a formal definition.

FAQs

How can I use "defined to be" in a sentence?

Use "defined to be" when you want to introduce a specific or technical definition of a term. For example, "In mathematics, a prime number is "defined to be" a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself."

What are some alternatives to "defined to be"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is known as", "is considered", "is termed", or simply "is". For example, instead of "Vulnerable plaques are "defined to be" any lesions prone to thrombose", you could say "Vulnerable plaques are known as any lesions prone to thrombose."

Is it always necessary to use "defined to be" when giving a definition?

No, it's not always necessary. In many cases, using "is" or another verb is perfectly acceptable and can make your writing more concise. Use "defined to be" when you want to emphasize the formality or precision of the definition.

What is the difference between "defined to be" and "described as"?

"Defined to be" implies a formal, precise definition, while "described as" suggests a more general or subjective characterization. A formal definition has to be accurate in any context, while a description is useful to provide an overview that may not be accurate in every case.