specify the definition of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "specify the definition of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to provide a clear and precise meaning of a term or concept. Example: "In your essay, please specify the definition of 'sustainability' to ensure clarity for your readers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I exploit temporal variability in panel data to better specify the definition of home ownership and control for unobserved confounders associated with ownership.

Electoral Studies

The HFEA approved this work in 2008 by amending the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act of 1990 to specify the definition of "human admixed embryos".

Huffington Post

However, the authors did not specify the definition of hypoglycemia in their report.

Diabetes Care

We asked participants to indicate diarrhea on days in which they had two or more loose stools; Payment et al. do not specify the definition of diarrhea.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

11 The last two trials did not specify the definition of serious adverse events, and one of them had zero events in 24 hours follow-up.

British Medical Journal

Since we are dealing with the analysis of the time and place of events reported in natural language text, it is necessary to explicitly specify the definition of events.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The national standards also legislate that chickens have "meaningful and regular" access to an outdoor range, but do not specify the definitions of the terms.

The Guardian

In this report, we have specified the definition of depression where indicated by speakers (e.g., depressive symptoms, diagnosed depression, diabetes-related distress).

Diabetes Care

Studies that did not specify the used definition of AAT or IAAT were excluded.

Critical Care

It would be convenient if the authors could specify the exact definition of membrane interface; for those people not working in the field, it could be a bit confusing.

F1000Research

Another account is that 'nature' is the shape or form which is specified in the definition of the thing.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "specify the definition of", ensure that the context requires a formal or precise explanation of a term, especially in technical or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "specify the definition of" when a simple "define" or "explain" would suffice. Overusing formal phrasing can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specify the definition of" functions as a directive, prompting the speaker or writer to provide a detailed and precise explanation of a term or concept. It is often used in contexts where clarity and accuracy are crucial, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

Academia

33%

News & Media

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "specify the definition of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to request a detailed and precise explanation of a term or concept. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, particularly in scientific, academic, and legal domains where accuracy is paramount. While alternatives like "define precisely" or "clearly define" exist, this phrase is particularly useful when emphasizing the need for a formal or technical definition. Its relative infrequency suggests a more specialized usage, making it important to use appropriately to avoid sounding overly formal in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

define precisely

Emphasizes exactness and clarity in the definition.

clearly define

Highlights the need for a definition that is easily understood.

explicitly define

Stresses that the definition should be stated directly and without ambiguity.

stipulate the meaning of

Indicates a formal or agreed-upon assignment of meaning.

determine the definition of

Focuses on the process of establishing the definition.

elucidate the definition of

Suggests making the definition clearer and easier to understand.

set forth the definition of

Implies presenting the definition in a structured or formal manner.

spell out the definition of

Emphasizes providing a detailed and unambiguous definition.

detail the definition of

Suggests providing an elaborate and thorough definition.

clarify the definition of

Highlights the removal of ambiguity to create a clear definition.

FAQs

What does "specify the definition of" mean?

It means to provide a clear and precise explanation or meaning of a term or concept, often in a formal or technical context.

How can I use "specify the definition of" in a sentence?

You might say, "Before proceeding, let's "clearly define" /s/clearly+define the term 'quantum entanglement'".

What are some alternatives to "specify the definition of"?

Alternatives include "define precisely", "explicitly define", or "clarify the meaning of" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "specify the definition of" instead of simply "define"?

Use "specify the definition of" when you need to emphasize the importance of a precise or formally stated definition, especially in technical or legal contexts.