host of definitions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "host of definitions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a large number of different meanings or interpretations of a term or concept. Example: "The term 'freedom' has a host of definitions, varying across cultures and contexts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Researchers have used a host of definitions.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

After this, there came a host of such definitions which are scattered throughout the recent literature whose survey and illustration (up to 2001) is available in Murthy [21].

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Muse fail to arrive onstage in the giant UFO they keep threatening to bring to festivals, but they nevertheless have instruments that light up when the band touch them, huge plumes of smoke that billow forth during Knights of Cydonia, a host of high-definition visuals and a guest appearance from U2's The Edge, who plays guitar on a cover of Where the Streets Have No Name.

The Guardian - Music

Last year, Dessay attempted another new role at the Met: as host of a high-definition broadcast, to be beamed live to movie theatres worldwide.

The New Yorker

And we're embracing the digital transition in a host of ways, like high-definition DVD formats and more than a dozen new online movie and television services around the world.

The New York Times

There is still not uniformity on definitions and tax rates, so businesses would still be forced to wade through potentially hundreds of tax rates and a host of different tax codes and definitions.

TechCrunch

Without more uniformity in the bill, he said, "businesses would still be forced to wade through potentially hundreds of tax rates and a host of different tax codes and definitions".

Huffington Post

Another category of issues concerns a host of philosophical questions about the definition and significance of life and death, the nature of personhood and identity, and the extent of human freedom and individual responsibility.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to CNN, they've asked Judge Steven O'Neill a host of questions, including what the definition of "without her knowledge" is.

Vice

That's because there are a host of parallel loopholes in the definition of just who qualifies for domestic violence protections.

Vice

The host of a television show which, by definition, explores controversial political topics says that bombing from afar is a less than noble form of warfare and that the Sept. 11 hijackers were something other (deluded? evil? sadistic? twisted?) than cowardly.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "host of definitions", ensure the context makes it clear that you are referring to a significant number of diverse interpretations, and not just a few slight variations.

Common error

Avoid using "host of definitions" in overly casual or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "many definitions" or "various definitions" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "host of definitions" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It is used to describe a situation where a particular concept or term has a multitude of interpretations or meanings. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "host of definitions" is a valid and usable expression in English, employed to indicate that a term or concept has a multitude of interpretations. Ludwig AI confirms this. While grammatically correct, it's important to consider the context and audience when using this phrase. Alternatives like "multiple definitions" or "various definitions" may be more suitable for certain situations. As shown in the provided examples, "host of definitions" appears most frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts, making it a versatile phrase for conveying complexity and diversity in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a multitude of definitions

Synonymous, but more formal and emphatic than "host of definitions".

a plethora of definitions

A more literary and emphatic way to say "a host of definitions".

multiple definitions

Focuses on the quantity of definitions without necessarily implying a large number, unlike "host of definitions".

various definitions

Emphasizes the diversity in definitions, while "host of definitions" stresses the large number.

a wide range of definitions

Highlights the spectrum of definitions, rather than the abundance.

a wealth of definitions

Emphasizes the richness and variety of definitions.

many definitions

A more straightforward way to express a large number of definitions, lacking the emphasis of "host of definitions".

an array of definitions

Implies an organized collection of definitions, different from the sheer quantity suggested by "host of definitions".

numerous definitions

Focuses on the count of definitions.

several definitions

Suggests more than two definitions but fewer than "host of definitions".

FAQs

How can I use "host of definitions" in a sentence?

You can use "host of definitions" to indicate that a term or concept has many different interpretations, such as: "The term 'democracy' has a "host of definitions", depending on the political ideology."

What's a more formal alternative to "host of definitions"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "a multitude of definitions" or "a plethora of definitions". These options convey a similar meaning but are often perceived as more sophisticated.

Is "host of definitions" the same as "various definitions"?

While both phrases suggest multiple meanings, "host of definitions" implies a larger and more diverse range than "various definitions", which simply indicates that there are different interpretations.

When is it appropriate to use "host of definitions" over "many definitions"?

Use "host of definitions" when you want to emphasize the sheer number and potential complexity of the different interpretations. "Many definitions" is a simpler and more direct alternative for less emphatic contexts.