described; describing
1
: to represent or give an account of in words
describe a picture
The police asked her to describe the thief.
There were so many things he wanted to describe …—
James Joyce
James Joyce2
: to represent by a figure, model, or picture : delineate
described in her paintings what she saw from her window
3
obsolete
: distribute
4
: to trace or traverse the outline of
describe a circle
describer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of describe in a Sentence
The witness wasn't able to describe the robber.
He described the house in perfect detail.
The article describes how the experiment was done.
She described watching dolphins play beside the ship.
Please describe what happened next.
Can you describe the lost dog to me?
She used a stick to describe a circle on the ground.
Recent Examples on the Web
But the company is also standing behind its decision to roll out the app this week, basically describing it as a rough patch that will, in theory, lead to a much better experience for everyone down the line.
—Chris Welch, The Verge, 13 Jan. 2025
Leaders of the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys extremist groups were convicted of seditious conspiracy for what prosecutors described as plots to use violence to stop the peaceful transfer of power from Trump, the Republican incumbent, to Biden.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 13 Jan. 2025
After an app update rollout that can best be described as disastrous, Sonos is seeking a new CEO.
—Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2025
While raging wildfires in California, devastating hurricanes affecting unanticipated regions, and record heat waves appropriately capture the headlines and describe the heartbreaking human stories, the longer-lasting effects on individual’s physical and mental health often go unnoticed.
—Bill Frist, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for describe 
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Chris Welch, The Verge, 13 Jan. 2025
Leaders of the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys extremist groups were convicted of seditious conspiracy for what prosecutors described as plots to use violence to stop the peaceful transfer of power from Trump, the Republican incumbent, to Biden.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 13 Jan. 2025
After an app update rollout that can best be described as disastrous, Sonos is seeking a new CEO.
—Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2025
While raging wildfires in California, devastating hurricanes affecting unanticipated regions, and record heat waves appropriately capture the headlines and describe the heartbreaking human stories, the longer-lasting effects on individual’s physical and mental health often go unnoticed.
—Bill Frist, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for describe
Articles Related to describe
Dictionary Entries Near describe
Cite this Entry
“Describe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/describe. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
describe
verb
de·scribe
di-ˈskrīb 
described; describing
1
: to represent or give an account of in words
2
: to trace the outline of
describe a circle
describer
noun
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