defining statement

USAGE SUMMARY

"defining statement" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a statement, either spoken or written, that clearly and succinctly explains something, such as a concept or idea. For example, "The defining statement of our company is 'creating a better future'."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"That is the defining statement".

The New York Times

Smith said: "Because we were black, we wanted to make a defining statement with the gloves.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a daring manifesto, and it became his defining statement, the one against which all of his subsequent actions were measured.

The New Yorker

After several months, Welles wrote a short treatment, took his fee and moved on to other projects, never finding the time to make what I believe would have been the defining statement about the Holocaust on film.

The New York Times - Books

That Martin, the 22-year-old national player of the year from the University of Cincinnati, stood yesterday at the podium as the winner of the Nets' lottery involved some luck, but it was more a defining statement about his perseverance.

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes, it might seem perverse that Love Will Tear Us Apart has grown into Joy Division's defining statement – here, after all, is a band who journeyed into the void and returned from some hopeless event horizon with such torrid, terrible tales, and now they're best remembered for singing a pop single about lost love.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

This latter decision was based on the sorted statements that are defining statements and distinguishing statements for that factor.

BMC Medical Education

Defining statements are those with z-scores greater than +1 (factor agreed with these statements) or less than -1 (factor disagreed with these statements), and distinguishing statements are those that a particular factor agreed or disagreed statistically more strongly than other factors [ 26].

BMC Medical Education

The companies report first half numbers in November and we look for more defined statements on regulatory outperformance and a new dividend policy from Severn Trent.

The Guardian - Business

This chapter presents a view of the finite element method as a general discretization procedure of continuum problems posed by mathematically defined statements.

The Finite Element Method Set Its Basis and Fundamentals

Vague remarks should be replaced by more clearly defined statements.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defining statement" to introduce a core concept or principle that is essential for understanding a larger subject.

Common error

Avoid using "defining statement" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it implies a level of significance that may be inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defining statement" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to identify a statement that is crucial, representative, or essential for understanding a concept or situation. Ludwig shows many examples where it describes key pronouncements or core principles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "defining statement" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term that serves to highlight a crucial, representative, or essential declaration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in formal and professional contexts such as news articles, academic papers, and business communications, while less common in informal settings. Its communicative purpose is to emphasize the significance and impact of a particular statement, often in situations requiring clarity and precision. Related phrases include "key declaration", "pivotal assertion", and "crucial pronouncement". While effective, overuse in casual contexts should be avoided to maintain its impact. Ultimately, "defining statement" is a valuable phrase for emphasizing the core message within a discussion or text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key declaration

Focuses on the importance of the declaration.

pivotal assertion

Highlights the critical nature of the assertion.

crucial pronouncement

Emphasizes the decisiveness of the pronouncement.

essential declaration

Underscores the fundamental importance of the declaration.

signature expression

Focuses on the unique and representative quality of the expression.

hallmark articulation

Highlights the distinctive and recognizable nature of the articulation.

characteristic statement

Emphasizes the typical and representative nature of the statement.

benchmark expression

Highlights that the expression serves as a standard.

quintessential utterance

Focuses on the perfect example of the utterance.

prime declaration

Highlights that the declaration is of first importance.

FAQs

How can I use "defining statement" in a sentence?

Use "defining statement" to highlight a key assertion or principle. For example, "His speech contained the "defining statement" of his political ideology".

What phrases are similar to "defining statement"?

Similar phrases include "key declaration", "pivotal assertion", or "crucial pronouncement", each emphasizing the importance of the statement.

Is "defining statement" formal or informal?

"Defining statement" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, or news-related contexts.

How does "defining statement" differ from "regular statement"?

"Defining statement" implies that the statement is particularly important, essential, or representative, whereas "regular statement" is a neutral term for any declaration.