delineation

noun

de·​lin·​ea·​tion di-ˌli-nē-ˈā-shən 

dē-

1

: the act of outlining or representing something with lines or words : the act of delineating

the delineation of a scene

… the delineation of the territories allotted to the seven tribes of Israel …

—Adam Nicholson

2

: something made by delineating

… a more photographic delineation of low life.

—T. S. Eliot

delineative

di-ˈli-nē-ˌā-tiv 

dē-

adjective

Synonyms of delineation

• sketch
• drawing
• depiction
• portrait
• illustration
• image

Examples of delineation in a Sentence

his simple but striking delineations of Dutch landscapes

a finely wrought delineation of a young woman's first experience with romantic love

Recent Examples on the Web

Such delineation would also jibe with Paramount — and its iconic arches — being steeped in movie history and a symbol of the golden era of cinema as the only major studio still located in Hollywood. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

In an era dominated by food and restaurant influencers, the argument the critics (and their editors) make is that star ratings help to give a definitive delineation to restaurant reviews written by true experts in the field. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026

The film’s aesthetics begin with a fairly clear delineation between moviemaking magic and hardscrabble reality. — Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026

The carbon-fiber Blackbird predominantly references its aeronautical namesake through its exterior styling, most notably the distinctive delineation that runs along the flanks. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin dēlīneātiōn-, dēlīneātiō "description," from Latin dēlīneāre "to trace the outline of, delineate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for delineation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation