Which option best describes the meaning of the word definition?

• A. the act of describing something with words
• B. the meaning of a word or phrase
• C. the outline of a plan
• D. a formal statement

Answer: (B)

Definition is the precise meaning of a word or phrase—the explanation that tells you what a term denotes. It goes beyond simply describing something or outlining a plan; it states the essential sense of the word in a clear, bounded way, as you’d find in a dictionary. That focus on what the term means makes it the best fit for describing the concept of a definition. For example, the definition of a word like “planet” would specify a celestial body that orbits a star and is large enough to be rounded by its own gravity, distinguishing it from other objects. The other options describe actions or forms (describing with words, outlining a plan, or a formal statement) rather than the meaning a word holds.