1
: extended treatment of or attention to particular items
explaining without going into detail
giving careful attention to detail
2
: a part of a whole: such as
a
: a small and subordinate part : particular
planned the wedding down to the smallest detail
also
: a reproduction of such a part of a work of art
b
: a part considered or requiring to be considered separately from the whole
discussing the details of the building's columns
c
: the small elements that collectively constitute a work of art
admire the great detail of his work
d
photography
: the small elements of an image corresponding to those of the subject
strong lighting to achieve clarity of detail
3
a
: selection of a person or group for a particular task (as in military service)
b(1)
: the person or group selected
a member of a security detail
police details at the parade
(2)
: the task to be performed
were assigned to kitchen detail
detailed; detailing; details
1
: to report minutely and distinctly : to report with close attention to small elements : specify
detailed their grievances
wrote a letter detailing her vacation
2
: to assign to a particular task
was detailed to another unit during maneuvers
3
: to furnish with the smaller elements of design and finish
trimmings that detail slips and petticoats
4
: to clean and refurbish (a vehicle) very thoroughly and meticulously
detail a car
: to make detail drawings
detailer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of detail in a Sentence
Noun
Every detail of the wedding was carefully planned.
They designed every detail of the house.
the wooden box's fine carved detail
We admired the detail of the artist's work.
The job requires attention to detail.
The article provides further details.
You left out an important detail about their new baby: is it a girl or boy?
The novel is full of historical details.
The book includes a wealth of detail on living conditions aboard ships at that time.
The novel is full of historical detail.
Verb
The book details the series of events that led to the tragedy.
She wrote a letter detailing her complaints.
The Army has detailed him to investigate the complaints.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ocvarsity Sports Staff, Orange County Register, 15 Nov. 2024
Howard was arrested Wednesday in Danville, and reportedly made a statement to police, but authorities haven’t revealed the details of it.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Dolphin Remains Found On November 1, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in New Jersey published a statement on social media detailing how the remains were found near Allenhurst, New Jersey.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detail 
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Noun
Subscribe now Scores and stats from Orange County games on Friday, Nov. 15
Click here for details about sending your team’s scores and stats to the Register.
—Ocvarsity Sports Staff, Orange County Register, 15 Nov. 2024
Howard was arrested Wednesday in Danville, and reportedly made a statement to police, but authorities haven’t revealed the details of it.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
The company acknowledges regulatory uncertainties and ongoing litigation as potential risks, with efforts to address these challenges detailed in the report.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Dolphin Remains Found On November 1, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in New Jersey published a statement on social media detailing how the remains were found near Allenhurst, New Jersey.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detail
Dictionary Entries Near detail
Cite this Entry
“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detail. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
detail
1 of 2 noun
de·tail
di-ˈtā(ə)l 
ˈdē-ˌtāl
ˈdē-ˌtāl
1
a
: a dealing with something item by item
go into detail about an event
b
: a small part or feature : item
the details of a story
2
a
: selection (as of a group of soldiers) for some special service
b
: a soldier or group of soldiers appointed for special duty
detail
2 of 2 verb1
: to report in detail : specify
detailed their complaints
2
: to assign to a task
detailer
noun
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