Definition of "describe" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To represent in words.

   • The feeling is difficult to describe, but not unpleasant.
   • The geographer describes countries and cities.
   • Several witnesses describe seeing lights in the sky that night.

2. (transitive) To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate; to trace or mark out.

   • to describe a circle by the compasses; a torch waved about the head in such a way as to describe a circle

3. (transitive, mathematics) To give rise to a geometrical structure.

   • The function describes a very complex surface.

4. (transitive, taxonomy) To introduce a new taxon to science by explaining its characteristics and particularly how it differs from other taxa.

   • The fungus was first described by a botanist.

5. (obsolete, transitive) To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class.