definisjon

Definisjon is the Norwegian term for a definition. In general usage, a definition is a statement that assigns a meaning to a term or clarifies the boundaries of what the term covers. Definitions are essential for communication, education, and research, helping to establish shared criteria by which concepts and phenomena can be discussed and compared. A good definition is clear, precise, and testable against examples.

Etymology: The noun definisjon shares its roots with the English word definition, originating from Latin definitio, from definire meaning to set boundaries or bound.

Types of definitions: Definitions can be categorized in several ways. Lexical definitions describe current usage and appear in dictionaries. Stipulative definitions prescribe a new or specific meaning for a term in a given context. Ostensive definitions define a term by pointing to examples. Precising definitions aim to reduce ambiguity in particular contexts. Analytical or descriptive definitions attempt to specify necessary and sufficient conditions for a thing to fall under a term, though such conditions are not always possible for all concepts.

Uses and limitations: A definition should be precise, non-circular, and transparent about scope. Definitions cannot capture every nuance or connotation of a term, and some terms—such as vague or highly abstract concepts—may resist sharp boundaries. Definitions can evolve with language, culture, and knowledge, and their adequacy depends on context and purpose. In Norwegian contexts, definisjon is widely used in education, philosophy, logic, and science to establish common understanding and to support argumentation and analysis.