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delineate

American  
[dih-lin-ee-eyt] / dɪˈlɪn iˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

delineates, present (3rd person singular) delineated, past participle, past delineating present participle
  1. to trace the outline of; sketch or trace in outline; represent pictorially.

    He delineated the state of Texas on the map with a red pencil.

  2. to portray in words; describe or outline with precision.

    In her speech she delineated the city plan with great care.


delineate British  
/ dɪˈlɪnɪˌeɪt /

verb

  1. to trace the shape or outline of; sketch

  2. to represent pictorially, as by making a chart or diagram; depict

  3. to portray in words, esp with detail and precision; describe

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Etymology

Origin of delineate

First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin dēlīneātus, equivalent to dē- de- + līneātus lineate

Explanation

Though you pronounce it duh-LIN-ee-ate, there is a "line" in the middle of delineate. This might help you remember that to delineate is to outline and define something in detail or with an actual marking of lines and boundaries. When you create an outline for a paper it usually summarizes what you will detail later. You delineate the sections, or mark the heading lines, and when you write the details, you delineate the subject of each heading. So, to delineate is both to mark lines and to fill in the lines. Using a fence to divide properties or a carpet to claim your side of the bedroom also is a way to delineate, or mark, physical boundaries.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing delineate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Parenting is such a remarkably simple way to delineate the difference between concept and exercise.

From Salon Jun. 28, 2026

Among other provisions, the bill would delineate when crypto markets are subject to securities regulation, likely placing most of the industry under the purview of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

From Barron's Mar. 9, 2026

You can delineate these bequests in a will or in a trust, but either way, the designated administrator becomes responsible for distributing the items and can be held accountable if things go missing.

From MarketWatch Nov. 21, 2025

"Culturally and socially they are completely intertwined. It would be impossible to delineate where one kinship network begins and ends," Lowy Institute Pacific Islands project director Mihai Sora told the BBC.

From BBC Feb. 7, 2024

He went on to delineate and, he hoped, prove his point.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

On Wednesday, Anthropic announced a new “services track” for the partner network, describing it as a “tiered structure” that delineates how much effort a partner has put toward its Anthropic business.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 3, 2026

But the bill also delineates a number of “excepted purchases” that enable investors to continue buying homes without penalty.

From Barron's Mar. 16, 2026

Since marriage is a milestone that often delineates youth from adulthood, a logical question is how this delay affects retirement saving.

From MarketWatch Jan. 23, 2026

Lisicky, noted for his prose in both novels and memoirs, beautifully delineates how artists of different kinds influence each other by tracing his discovery of and passion for singer-songwriter Mitchell’s work.

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 1, 2025

But it also delineates a limit, a warning, an outer boundary of sobriety.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

The Pentagon chief said the move was also aimed at ensuring US "access, basing and overflight are clearly delineated and assured" after some European imposed restrictions on US forces during the Iran war.

From Barron's Jun. 18, 2026

OpenAI has promised that its ads will never influence how ChatGPT answers questions and will always remain clearly delineated from other content.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 13, 2026

Anyone that investigates this will find that the risks and benefits are already delineated.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 20, 2025

The wildfire–urban fire distinction matters because it determines both who is vulnerable to such disasters—a much broader section of neighborhoods than is delineated by fire-risk maps—and how to address the problem.

From Slate Jan. 14, 2025

Everyone in the crew had a specific job with carefully delineated responsibilities.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore

He and the large L.A.-based produce company have dueling legal complaints over a contract delineating how the fruit was to be marketed and sold.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 3, 2026

The care the Framers took in delineating this irreversible presidential power—requiring the president’s personal involvement, and limiting it to certain federal criminal matters—is telling.

From Slate May 26, 2026

The related documents have provided the biggest tranche of information about the case thus far, delineating key details in the ongoing investigation, which has been shrouded in secrecy.

From BBC Feb. 26, 2026

Mr. Sturridge is almost animalistic and at times absurdly funny in delineating Mat’s sudden and obsessive love; it seems to draw him to Anna with an almost overpowering force.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 14, 2025

Rows of blue runway lights stretched out along the valley floor behind us, delineating Og’s private landing strip.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

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