delineate
verb
de·lin·eate
di-ˈli-nē-ˌāt 
dē-
delineated; delineating
1
2
a
: to indicate or represent by drawn or painted lines
b
: to mark the outline of
lights delineating the narrow streets
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.
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
This expansive novel delineates the multigenerational fallout from a young bride’s impulsive decision to leave her new husband for his best friend.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Pay special attention to the way the architectural details guide you through the rooms—ceiling lines delineate spaces for lounging and function, and the narrow, sliced windows in the bedroom and living spaces frame painting-like views of the landscape.
—Tim Nelson, Architectural Digest, 31 Mar. 2025
Archways are positioned to act as doorways, while varying the materials underfoot—gravel, flagstone, grass—delineates each space.
—Teresa Woodard, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2025
An opening scene lays out the grotesque absurdity of the situation, as office manager Joy (Christiane Paul) delineates between culinary content and animal abuse in a meeting.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delineate
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The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Pay special attention to the way the architectural details guide you through the rooms—ceiling lines delineate spaces for lounging and function, and the narrow, sliced windows in the bedroom and living spaces frame painting-like views of the landscape.
—Tim Nelson, Architectural Digest, 31 Mar. 2025
Archways are positioned to act as doorways, while varying the materials underfoot—gravel, flagstone, grass—delineates each space.
—Teresa Woodard, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2025
An opening scene lays out the grotesque absurdity of the situation, as office manager Joy (Christiane Paul) delineates between culinary content and animal abuse in a meeting.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delineate
Cite this Entry
“Delineate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delineate. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
delineate
verb
de·lin·eate
di-ˈlin-ē-ˌāt
delineated; delineating
1
: to indicate by lines : sketch
2
: to describe in sharp or vivid detail
delineate the characters in a story
delineation
noun
-ˌlin-ē-ˈā-shən
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