is defined as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is defined as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in academic or formal contexts to introduce a definition or explanation of a term or concept. Example: "In mathematics, a prime number is defined as a natural number greater than 1 that cannot be formed by multiplying two smaller natural numbers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Statistical significance is defined as a p value = <0.05.

BMC Cancer

His role is defined as a "trequartista".

The New York Times - Sports

NEW YORK — "Man is defined as a human being and woman is defined as a female.

The New York Times

An image is defined as a regular grid of values.

Stanford University

Reminiscence is defined as a gain in performance without practice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Harm is defined as a normative judgment on a trajectory.

Environmental Modelling & Software

Nowadays, insanity is defined as a mental illness.

L'Évolution Psychiatrique

A latch is defined as a level sensitive memory device.

Design Recipes for FPGAs

Alcohol dependence syndrome is defined as a chronic disease.

Medicina Clínica

This paper introduces what is defined as a sensitising model.

Safety Science

The process optimization is defined as a nonlinear programming (NLP).

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is defined as a" when providing a formal or technical definition of a term or concept. Ensure the definition is clear, concise, and accurate.

Common error

Avoid using "is defined as a" in contexts where a simpler explanation or description would suffice. Overusing formal definitions can make your writing sound overly academic or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is defined as a" serves as a definitional verb phrase. Ludwig AI indicates it's a conventional way to introduce a formal explanation or definition of a concept, as seen in various contexts from science to news.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is defined as a" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce formal definitions across diverse fields, particularly in science, news media, and academia. Ludwig confirms its proper usage, highlighting its role in establishing clarity and precision. While highly useful, it's important to avoid overuse in informal contexts where simpler explanations might suffice. Alternatives include "is characterized as", "is considered to be", and "is known as", each offering subtle nuances. Remember to use this phrase to provide precise and accurate definitions, thus ensuring effective communication in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be defined as

Changes the verb tense and voice slightly, focusing on possibility.

is understood to be

Emphasizes a common or accepted understanding rather than a strict definition.

is characterized as

Focuses on describing key attributes or features.

is considered to be

Highlights a particular viewpoint or assessment.

is known as

Highlights common knowledge or recognition of something.

may be described as

Introduces a description with a degree of subjectivity or approximation.

is interpreted as

Focuses on how something is perceived or understood.

is identified as

Specifies a particular label or category.

is regarded as

Indicates a specific opinion or estimation.

is labeled as

Implies assigning a specific designation or classification.

FAQs

How do I use "is defined as a" in a sentence?

Use "is defined as a" to introduce a formal or technical definition. For example, "In computer science, an algorithm "is defined as a" set of instructions designed to perform a specific task".

What are some alternatives to "is defined as a"?

You can use alternatives like "is characterized as", "is considered to be", or "is known as" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "is defined as a"?

"Is defined as a" is appropriate when you want to provide a precise and formal definition, especially in academic, scientific, or technical writing.

Is there a difference between "is defined as a" and "is described as a"?

While both phrases introduce explanations, "is defined as a" implies a more formal and precise definition, whereas "is described as a" suggests a more general or subjective description.