定义

• Pinyin: dìng yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 定 = 宀 + 正 (to settle, decide); 义 = simplified from 義 (righteousness, meaning — originally depicting a sacrificial animal representing a moral standard)

Meaning

Definition; the precise statement of the meaning of a word, concept, or phenomenon.

Used in academic writing, philosophy, law, science, and programming. Can also serve as a verb (对X下定义 or 将X定义为 — to define X as). Carries intellectual rigour and formal precision. In computing, 定义变量 means to declare a variable.

Examples

1. 哲学家们对'幸福'的定义众说纷纭，至今没有普遍接受的统一标准。 Philosophers have all kinds of definitions of “happiness,” and to this day there’s still no single standard that’s widely accepted.
2. 法律对'公民权利'的定义必须清晰明确，以避免司法实践中产生歧义。 The law’s definition of “citizens’ rights” must be clear and precise to avoid ambiguity in judicial practice.
3. 随着技术的发展，人们对'隐私'的定义也在不断演变与深化拓展。 As technology develops, people’s definition of “privacy” is also continually evolving and expanding.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, law, science, philosophy, programming

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 在进行学术论证之前，研究者必须先对核心概念做出清晰的操作性定义。(Before making academic arguments, researchers must first provide clear operational definitions for their core concepts.)
• 这部法规对'个人信息'的定义过于宽泛，在实际执行中已引发诸多争议。(This regulation's definition of 'personal information' is too broad and has already sparked considerable controversy in practical enforcement.)

Don't Say

• 定义就是意思 — too reductive; 定义 is the formal, precise specification of a term, not simply its 意思 (meaning/gist); in academic contexts they are distinct

Origin & History

定 (fix/settle) + 义 (meaning/principle)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal