specific definition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'specific definition' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it, for example, in a sentence like this: "This paper proposes an extensive and specific definition for the term 'social justice'."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"Our law has a very specific definition of terrorism.

The Guardian

Remember: "great" sounds really good without having a specific definition.

The New Yorker

No collusion (under that specific definition of what constitutes collusion)!

The Washington Post

The more specific definition is "a safe-deposit box in a bank".

The New York Times - Magazine

The specific definition of creativity used throughout the show is fluid.

The Guardian - Arts

He has found his bliss, and he has a very specific definition of the term.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

It allows domain-specific definition of tags and hierarchical document structure.

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association

We identified heat waves based on a city-specific definition.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The associations for systolic blood pressure and diabetes were stronger in the Asian-specific definition.

BMC Public Health

The act offers no specific definition of "emergency" and allows a president to declare one entirely at his or her discretion.

The Washington Post

It occurs, depending on specific definition, in up to 30% of patients submitted to cardiac surgery.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical or academic writing, always clarify the "specific definition" of key terms early on to avoid ambiguity and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Common error

Avoid stating that something has a "specific definition" without providing it or indicating where it can be found. Leaving the definition unspecified defeats the purpose of using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specific definition" functions as a noun phrase acting as a complement to a verb or preposition. It often indicates that a term or concept has a well-defined, precise, and unambiguous meaning, in line with Ludwig's explanation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "specific definition" is used to indicate that a term or concept has a clearly defined and precise meaning. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various fields, notably in news, media, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to provide or reference the actual definition to ensure clarity. Related phrases include "precise meaning" and "explicit definition". Remembering these points will help you use this phrase effectively and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precise meaning

Focuses on the exactness and accuracy of the meaning.

exact definition

Emphasizes the accuracy and lack of ambiguity in the definition.

precise definition

Highlights the detailed and unambiguous nature of the definition.

explicit definition

Stresses the clarity and unambiguity of the definition.

well-defined meaning

Highlights that a meaning is clearly and accurately defined.

narrow definition

Focuses on limiting the scope of a definition.

technical definition

Refers to a definition used in a specific technical field.

formal definition

Refers to a definition used in a formal or academic context.

working definition

Describes a definition adopted for practical purposes in a project or study.

operational definition

Indicates a definition that specifies how a concept is measured or observed.

FAQs

How to use "specific definition" in a sentence?

You can use "specific definition" to emphasize that a term has a particular, well-defined meaning, as in "The legal document provided a "precise definition" of the term 'negligence'".

What can I say instead of "specific definition"?

You can use alternatives like "precise meaning", "exact definition", or "explicit definition" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a specific definition" or "the specific definition"?

Both are correct, but "a specific definition" is used when referring to one of many possible definitions, while "the specific definition" refers to a particular definition that is already known or has been mentioned.

What's the difference between "specific definition" and "general definition"?

A "specific definition" is detailed and precise, tailored to a particular context or use. A "general definition" is broader and less detailed, suitable for a wider range of applications.