which is defined by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is defined by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are introducing a definition. For example, "Love is a complex emotion, which is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as an intense feeling of deep affection."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The dancer, on the other hand, has an aesthetic goal, which is defined by technique, line and expression.

The New York Times - Arts

"Mr. Ahmadinejad's views come from a religion which is defined by its clerics, but they believe that he is not a religious authority to make such remarks".

The New York Times

And so they create a personality for you which is defined by the way they act you out".

The New York Times - Books

The Islamic world has an opportunity to educate itself in Islam as a discourse of liberty, which is defined by principles of human dignity and human rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

You just want to get back to him and find out more about his life, which is defined by many different kinds of absence.

The Guardian

And so, in tribute, he started writing Twitter messages in West's voice, which is defined by a singular blend of ingenuousness and bravado.

The New Yorker

Let, which is defined by (16).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

where is the entropy measure which is defined by (10).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

and let be the function which is defined by (2.36).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

for is the cylinder transformation, which is defined by (2.7).

Boundary Value Problems

which is defined by Yao et al. [13].

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is defined by" to introduce a formal or technical definition, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "which is defined by" in casual writing can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "meaning" or "is" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is defined by" functions as a relative clause introducing a definition. As Ludwig AI points out, this construction is grammatically correct and frequently appears in written English to provide clarity and precision. This phrase is most often used to provide essential information about a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is defined by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, particularly in formal and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to introduce a definition or explanation clearly and precisely. While versatile, it's best to reserve this phrase for situations where a formal tone is appropriate, opting for simpler alternatives in casual settings. Remember to use it correctly to enhance clarity and precision in your writing. Some authoritative sources that frequently employ this expression are the "Journal of Inequalities and Applications", "Boundary Value Problems" and "Advances in Difference Equations".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is defined by

A more direct and formal way to introduce a definition.

which is characterized by

Focuses on the key attributes or features that distinguish something.

that one defines by

This alternative changes the emphasis from a universally accepted definition to a personal or specified definition, implying subjectivity or contextual variance.

which is determined by

Highlights the factors or conditions that influence or control something.

which is marked by

Emphasizes distinctive features or signs.

that is specified by

Emphasizes the precise and detailed nature of the definition.

that is explained by

Suggests that the definition involves a process of clarification or interpretation.

which is constituted by

Indicates the elements or components that make up something.

which is delineated by

Focuses on the boundaries or limits that define something.

which is known as

Highlights the common or accepted name or term for something.

FAQs

How can I use "which is defined by" in a sentence?

Use "which is defined by" to introduce a formal or technical definition within a clause. For example, "Photosynthesis, which is defined by the process of converting light into chemical energy, is essential for plant life."

What are some alternatives to "which is defined by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that is defined by", "which is characterized by", or simply using "meaning" or "is" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "that is defined by" instead of "which is defined by"?

Both "which is defined by" and "that is defined by" are grammatically correct. "Which" introduces non-restrictive clauses, while "that" introduces restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning.

What's the difference between "which is defined by" and "which is characterized by"?

"Which is defined by" typically introduces a formal definition, while "which is characterized by" highlights the key attributes or features of something. The former is more about stating what something is, while the latter is about describing its qualities.