sentence definition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sentence definition" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a definition that is expressed in a complete sentence. For example, "A sentence definition provides a clear and concise explanation of a term." Alternative expressions include "definition in a sentence" and "sentence-based definition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

One simple single sentence definition of the Efficient Market Hypothesis is: "An investment theory that states it is impossible to "beat the market" because stock market efficiency causes existing share prices to always incorporate and reflect all relevant information".

Huffington Post

All of these, you understand that these are meaningful concepts, but you don't try to make them a single sentence definition where you can answer it and put it in a statute.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Then work as a class to develop a one-sentence definition for hunger using these shared ideas.

The New York Times

We can't give a simple, one-sentence definition of science that draws a clear black line around the sorts of things considered to be science.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

For example, a systematist or paleontologist might prefer a one-sentence definition of "evolution" as "the idea that all species that have ever lived on earth are descended from a single common ancestor".

Evolution: Education and Outreach

His one-sentence definition of the college presidency was that "All great enterprises require time and patience and labor and suffering and money". After Wood left in 1884, the college was run for three years by a Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Duke University

His one-sentence definition of the college presidency was that "All great enterprises require time and patience and labor and suffering and money". After Wood left, the college was run for three years by a Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Duke University

Finally, Part Four, without being corny or preachy, describes the religious or ethical vision (I still think the Golden Rule works as a one-sentence definition of common interest).

Huffington Post

These two-sentence definitions read a bit like horoscopes.

The New York Times

But, turning back from the implications of these definitions to the definitions themselves, a variety of one-sentence definitions might suffice.

BMC Health Services Research

Should health services researchers be satisfied with one-sentence definitions of our field that are equally adequate for backyard barbeques, idle conversations, or scientific articles?

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, ensure the 'sentence definition' actually constitutes a complete grammatical sentence to meet the expectations of the term.

Common error

Avoid using 'definition sentence' when you actually mean a 'sentence definition'. A 'definition sentence' is simply any sentence that happens to define something, whereas a 'sentence definition' is a specific category or requirement for a definition to be contained within exactly one sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sentence definition" functions primarily as a compound noun where 'sentence' acts as an attributive noun modifying 'definition'. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often appears with further modifiers, such as 'one-sentence' or 'single-sentence', which refine the scope of the definition's length.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

45%

Science

30%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "sentence definition" is a precise and useful linguistic tool, particularly within academic and professional environments. While Ludwig AI shows that it often appears with modifiers like 'one-sentence', the core phrase is a standard way to describe a definition that adheres to a specific grammatical format. It is highly regarded for its clarity in Science and Law, where distinguishing between a long-form explanation and a concise "sentence definition" is crucial for technical accuracy. Writers should use it when they want to emphasize the brevity and formal structure of a term's explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one-sentence definition

Adds a numerical modifier to specify the exact length of the definition

definition in a sentence

Uses a prepositional phrase to emphasize the format rather than the noun pair

concise definition

Focuses on the brevity of the explanation without strictly requiring it to be a single sentence

single-sentence explanation

Swaps definition for explanation to imply a broader scope of meaning

brief definition

Emphasizes the short duration or length of the text

gloss

A technical linguistic term for a brief marginal or interlinear definition

working definition

Refers to a definition used for the purpose of a specific argument or study

formal definition

Implies a strict or standardized explanation of a term

dictionary definition

Specifies the source or style of the definition as being typical of a dictionary

summary definition

Focuses on the condensed nature of the content

FAQs

How to use "sentence definition" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a specific requirement, for example: "The professor asked for a clear "sentence definition" of the term to ensure we understood its core concept."

What is another way to say "sentence definition"?

Depending on your needs, you might use "one-sentence definition" for precision or "concise definition" for a more general description of brevity.

Is it "sentence definition" or "definition sentence"?

Both are grammatically correct but serve different purposes. Use "sentence definition" when referring to the type of definition (one that is a sentence) and "definition sentence" when identifying a specific sentence in a text that provides a definition.

Can "sentence definition" be used in formal writing?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable. It appears frequently in materials from "Harvard University" and other academic sources to describe the structure of legal or scientific terminology.