description
noun
de·scrip·tion
di-ˈskrip-shən 
1
a
: an act of describing
specifically
: discourse intended to give a mental image of something experienced
beautiful beyond description
gave an accurate description of what he saw
b
: a statement or account giving the characteristics of someone or something : a descriptive statement or account
The review was little more than a description of the film's plot.
2
: kind or character especially as determined by salient (see salient entry 1 sense 3b) features
someone fitting the suspect's description
had toys of every description
opposed to any tax of so radical a description
Examples of description in a Sentence
Reporters called the scene “a disaster area,” and I think that was an accurate description.
I applied for the position after reading the job description.
a writer with a gift of description
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2016, the FBI put out a request for any information or sightings of similar cars matching that description.
—
Dianne Gallagher, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
There, the friends are plunged into a hell that defies description in its mix of aseptic rationality and normalized violence.
—Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025
Graphics and Gaming Tests Here are the benchmark results, with descriptions of each test preceding them—first, our usual graphics test suite for laptop reviews.
—Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
The car, a Toyota Celica, matched the description of Schepers’ vehicle, authorities said.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for description
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Dianne Gallagher, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
There, the friends are plunged into a hell that defies description in its mix of aseptic rationality and normalized violence.
—Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025
Graphics and Gaming Tests Here are the benchmark results, with descriptions of each test preceding them—first, our usual graphics test suite for laptop reviews.
—Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
The car, a Toyota Celica, matched the description of Schepers’ vehicle, authorities said.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for description
Cite this Entry
“Description.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/description. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
description
noun
de·scrip·tion
di-ˈskrip-shən
1
: an account of something
especially
: an account that presents a picture to a person who reads or hears it
2
: sort entry 1 sense 1a, kind
people of every description
Etymology
Middle English descripcioun "description," from early French descripcioun and Latin description-, descriptio (both, same meaning), from Latin describere "to describe," from de- "down" and scribere "to write" — related to scribe
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