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Prepositions with nouns

How to use “definition” with prepositions

Definition is most commonly followed by of. Other combinations are possible in specific contexts, while agreed-upon definition uses no preposition before definition.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

The standard pattern is definition of + thing. Use definition for when referring to an audience or purpose, definition by when naming the person or method that provides it, and definition in when referring to a source or context. Agreed-upon definition is a compound adjective before the noun.

We discussed the definition of artificial intelligence.
The teacher gave a simple definition for beginners.
This is the definition by the original author.
They finally accepted an agreed-upon definition of success.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
definition of + subject

Naming the meaning of something

Use definition of to state what word, idea, or concept is being defined.

The article gives a clear definition of democracy.
We need a legal definition of negligence.
2
definition for + audience or purpose

Showing who the definition is intended for

Use definition for when the definition is adapted to a group, level, or use.

She wrote a short definition for children.
The manual includes a technical definition for engineers.
3
definition by + person or method

Identifying the source of a definition

Use definition by to mention who created the definition or what method was used.

The definition by the committee was widely accepted.
A definition by exclusion can be confusing.
4
definition in + source or context

Referring to where a definition appears

Use definition in to point to a document, field, or setting where the definition is found.

The definition in the contract is very narrow.
The definition in medical literature has changed.
5
agreed-upon definition

Describing a shared definition

Agreed-upon works as an adjective before definition and means accepted by everyone involved.

The team reached an agreed-upon definition of quality.
Without an agreed-upon definition, the debate continued.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
definition of
The definition of privacy is changing.
The normal way to name what is being defined.
definition for
They prepared a definition for new employees.
A definition designed for a particular audience or purpose.
definition by
The definition by the judge influenced the case.
A definition provided by someone or by a method.
definition in
The definition in the policy is very specific.
A definition located in a text or context.
agreed-upon definition
We still need an agreed-upon definition of fairness.
A shared or accepted definition without a preposition before definition.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using definition for instead of definition of

Use definition of when naming the thing being defined.

✕ the definition for democracy ✓ the definition of democracy

Adding a preposition before agreed-upon definition

Agreed-upon directly modifies definition.

✕ an of agreed-upon definition ✓ an agreed-upon definition

Confusing definition by with authorship

Definition by is only used when the source or method matters.

✕ We discussed the definition by freedom. ✓ We discussed the definition of freedom.

Using definition in for the topic itself

Definition in usually refers to a source or context, not the concept being defined.

✕ the definition in happiness ✓ the definition of happiness

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The report includes a clear ___ climate resilience.
2. They created a simple ___ first-year students.
3. The lawyers could not agree on an ___ of negligence.

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Frequently asked questions

Is definition of the most common pattern?

Yes. Definition of is the standard way to introduce the meaning of a word or concept.

Can I say definition for something?

Yes, when you mean a definition intended for a particular audience, purpose, or situation.

What does agreed-upon definition mean?

It means a definition that different people or groups have accepted together.

"behind bar" or "of bar"? "beyond description" or "of description"? by, accident, of, accident "by boat" or "of boat"? "by chance" or "of chance"? "by default", "in default" or "of default"? "by extension", "of extension" or "for extension"? "by lot" or "with lot"? by, of, in, into or to category? by, of, in, via or on telephone? by, of, on, for or in bus? by, of, to, with or from professor?

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