If you define a word or expression, you explain its meaning, for example in a dictionary. Collins English Dictionary defines a workaholic as `a person obsessively addicted to work'
To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument
(1) To give a value to a data object during program execution (2) To declare derived types and procedures
If you define something, you show, describe, or state clearly what it is and what its limits are, or what it is like. We were unable to define what exactly was wrong with him He was asked to define his concept of cool. + defined de·fined a party with a clearly defined programme and strict rules of membership. = delineated
to give the meaning of a word or concept; typically this will involve the identification of a class or genus to which the item belongs and the identification of those characteristics that differentiate it from other items in that class or genus I will normally expect you to further develop your definition through classification (working up the chain of abstractions), division (working down the chain of abstractions), comparison, exemplification, or another strategy of development
Definitions call for concise, clear, authoritative meanings Details are not required but limitations of the definition should be briefly cited You must keep in mind the class to which a thing belongs and whatever differentiates the particular object from all others in the class