was defined as

USAGE SUMMARY

"was defined as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a definition or description of something. For example: "The term 'Bayesian inference' was defined as a type of statistical inference based on probability theory."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ms Das was defined as dusky.

The Economist

The historic region was defined as Classico.

The New York Times - Food

Her case was defined as "atypical".

The New York Times - Books

p < 0.05 was defined as statistically significant.

Nature

Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.

Nature

Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.

Nature

Significance was defined as P<.05.

Journal of the American Dietetic Association

Revision was defined as the end point.

The Knee

Architecture, meanwhile, was defined as "compatible/compelling design vocabulary".

The New York Times - Arts

Anemia was defined as a hematocrit < 33 volume percentage.

Stanford University

Relative PHE was defined as E v /H v).

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was defined as" to clearly introduce a specific definition, especially when referencing a standard or established meaning within a particular field.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "was defined as", as it can sometimes make your writing sound less direct. Consider active alternatives when appropriate to improve clarity and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was defined as" serves as a definitional marker, introducing the meaning or interpretation assigned to a term, concept, or variable within a specific context. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

Academia

27%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was defined as" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to introduce definitions or specific meanings. As indicated by Ludwig, it is appropriate for use in written English. Analysis of its usage reveals that it is most frequently employed in scientific and academic contexts, where clear and precise definitions are crucial. While acceptable in news media and other domains, the high usage in technical fields contributes to its formal register. When using "was defined as", consider alternative phrases to avoid overuse of passive voice and ensure clarity in your writing. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable, and the example sentences confirm that it is a valuable tool for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be defined as

Changes from past tense to present tense and uses "can be" to indicate a potential definition rather than a stated one.

is understood as

Replaces "defined" with "understood", shifting the focus from a formal definition to a general understanding.

is characterized by

Uses "characterized by" to describe defining features instead of a direct definition.

is known as

Indicates a common name or label, rather than a formal definition.

is referred to as

Highlights the act of referring to something by a particular name or term.

is described as

Uses "described" to offer a descriptive account instead of a strict definition.

is interpreted as

Implies a subjective understanding or interpretation, rather than an objective definition.

is considered to be

Indicates a generally held opinion or view, rather than a concrete definition.

may be regarded as

Suggests a possible way of viewing or understanding something.

effectively means

Focuses on the practical meaning or implication of something.

FAQs

How can I use "was defined as" in a sentence?

Use "was defined as" to introduce a formal definition or established meaning of a term. For example, "In this study, success "was defined as" achieving a 20% reduction in symptoms."

What are some alternatives to "was defined as"?

Alternatives include "is understood as", "is characterized by", or "is referred to as". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when defining a term?

While "was defined as" (passive voice) is common, using the active voice can sometimes be more direct. For example, instead of "The researcher defined the term as...", you could say "The researcher defined the term to mean...".

What's the difference between "was defined as" and "is defined as"?

"Was defined as" typically refers to a definition established in the past, often within a specific context or study. "Is defined as" refers to a current, generally accepted definition.