were defined as

USAGE SUMMARY

"were defined as" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English and can be used whenever you need to introduce a definition.
For example, "The different types of language were defined as oral, written, and signed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Controls were defined as 100%.

Nature

These were defined as "obscene visual depictions".

The Guardian - Arts

The rest were defined as errors.

The New York Times

Significant differences were defined as P < 0.05.

Nature

Undefined vacuoles were defined as "others".

Nature

"They were defined as bad managers overseeing unsuccessful housing.

The New York Times

These hybrids were defined as plastic.

Field Crops Research

Cases were defined as fetuses with thrombophilia.

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

NIDM-Results terms were defined as specialisations of PROV terms.

Nature

Remaining cases were defined as having possible nocturia.

Stanford University

GO terms meeting these conditions were defined as significantly enriched.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific and technical writing, "were defined as" introduces precise technical meanings. Ensure consistency when utilizing the term.

Common error

Avoid redefining the same term multiple times with conflicting definitions within the same document or context. If a term needs to be used in different ways, clarify which definition applies in each instance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were defined as" functions as a definitional verb phrase. It explicitly introduces a definition, specifying the meaning of a term or concept within a given context. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were defined as" serves as a definitional verb phrase, essential for establishing clarity in formal contexts, especially within scientific and academic writing. Ludwig AI validates this usage, emphasizing its role in precise communication. While less frequent in informal settings, this phrase provides a robust means of ensuring definitional accuracy, promoting consistency and minimizing ambiguity. Its prevalence across authoritative sources like Nature and The New York Times underscores its importance in formal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were classified as

Focuses on categorization rather than precise definition, implying a broader grouping.

were considered to be

Indicates a matter of opinion or general acceptance, rather than a formal definition.

were characterized as

Emphasizes the qualities or features used to describe something, highlighting specific attributes.

were identified as

Stresses the act of recognizing or singling out something based on certain criteria.

were labeled as

Implies a specific designation or naming, often for identification or tracking purposes.

were designated as

Suggests a formal assignment or appointment to a specific role or category.

were known as

Highlights the common or recognized name or description of something.

were regarded as

Conveys a subjective evaluation or perception of something.

were interpreted as

Emphasizes the understanding or explanation given to something, often involving analysis or inference.

were understood as

Focuses on the generally accepted or common understanding of something.

FAQs

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

"Were defined as" is used to introduce a formal definition of a term or concept. For example, "In this study, successful outcomes "were defined as" a 20% reduction in symptoms".

What phrases are similar to "were defined as"?

Similar phrases include "were classified as", "were considered to be", and "were characterized as". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "were defined as" and "were described as"?

"Were defined as" implies a precise, often formal, definition. "Were described as" suggests a more general characterization or explanation. For example, "Cells "were defined as" viable if they excluded Trypan blue", versus, "The patient's symptoms "were described as" fatigue and headache".

Is it appropriate to use "were defined as" in informal writing?

While "were defined as" is grammatically correct, it's more common in formal or technical writing where precise definitions are important. In informal contexts, you might prefer simpler phrasing like "meant" or "was considered".