Definition of DELINEATES (original) (raw)
1
: to describe, portray, or set forth with accuracy or in detail
delineate a character in the story
delineate the steps to be taken by the government
2
a
: to indicate or represent by drawn or painted lines
b
: to mark the outline of
lights delineating the narrow streets
Synonyms
Examples of delineate in a Sentence
He plants his skates millimeters outside the blue-tinted 44-square-foot arena that delineates the crease and refuses to budge … —
Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated, 21 May 2007 Screenwriter Christopher Hampton introduces a large gallery of characters, subtly delineating the unspoken class biases that will keep Robbie, for all his confidence, charm and Cambridge education, an outsider. —David Ansen, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2007 So Madrid finally ordered Onís to cut the best deal he could. The resulting Transcontinental (or Adams-Onís) Treaty of 1819 ceded Florida to the United States and delineated the boundary between American and Spanish territory all the way to the Pacific Ocean … —Walter A. McDougall, Promised Land, Crusader State, 1997 Privacy plays a unique role in American law. Although considered a core value by most citizens, it is not explicitly delineated as a protected right by the U.S. Constitution. —Edward A. Cavazos et al., Cyberspace and the Law, 1994
The report clearly delineates the steps that must be taken. The characters in the story were carefully delineated.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Here, in Lebanon’s capital, life has been delineated by similar sounds and sights of conflict for decades. —Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025 Right now, though, Lively’s complaint, as delineated in the New York Times, has become the prevailing narrative in the drama, while Baldoni’s reputation is the one being buried. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024 In the time since, more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health officials who don’t delineate between civilians and combatants. —Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2024 That was an era which came to define the NBA for a period, but the narrative was one that often delineated along racial lines, by pitting a Black man and White man against each other. —Johannes Sasay-Wada and Amanda Davies, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for delineate 
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin dēlīneātus, past participle of dēlīneāre "to trace the outline of," from dē- de- + līneāre "to make straight, mark with lines," derivative of līnea "string, cord, line entry 1"
First Known Use
1559, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Time Traveler
The first known use of delineate was in 1559
Dictionary Entries Near delineate
Cite this Entry
“Delineate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delineate. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025.
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Last Updated: 8 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences
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