定义

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

含义

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.

例句

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。
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。
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。

用法指南

语境: academic, law, science, philosophy, programming

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 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.)

错误说法

• 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

起源与历史

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

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal