Idioms

by definition

by definition

According to the literal definition or widely known understanding of something. You know, illegal activities by definition break the law. I always thought that singers were outgoing by definition—until I saw how shy you are off-stage. I thought the suburbs were supposed to be quiet and calm by definition, but it's there's a surprising amount of traffic around here.
See also: by
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

by definition

According to prior determination, as a given. For example, This antibiotic is by definition the most effective now on the market. [1970s]
See also: by
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive
By definition, the rating for that subfactor is green.
Whereas Part Two of Defining Reality takes up argument about definition, Part Three is concerned to address "arguments from and by definition" (109).
The main effect for gender and the gender by definition interaction were not significant.
Also, "Core real estate, by definition, carries low leverage.
"AIDS by definition is not new and is not a disease," the web site of HEAL Toronto declares.
"By definition, the Avogadro number relates macroscopic masses to atomic measurements," Taylor says.
This follows from the fact that, by definition, a position that has a reasonable basis is not a negligent position; see Regs.
By definition, the individual is not a common-law employee and, therefore, is not covered by ERISA.
Finally, Example (1) excludes from the definition of research "debugging." We submit, however, that a software product that has not been "debugged" does not -- by definition -- meet its basic design specifications.
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