demonstration

noun

dem·​on·​stra·​tion ˌde-mən-ˈstrā-shən How to pronounce demonstration (audio)
1
: an act, process, or means of demonstrating to the intelligence
a demonstration of how to prune a tree
: such as
a(1)
: conclusive evidence : proof
a demonstration of her guilt
(2)
mathematics : derivation sense 5
b
: a showing of the merits of a product or service to a prospective consumer
a vacuum cleaner demonstration
2
: an outward expression or display
a demonstration of compassion
3
: a show of armed force
4
: a public display of group feelings toward a person or cause
peaceful demonstrations against the government
anti-war demonstrations
demonstrational adjective

Examples of demonstration in a Sentence

I went to a sculpture demonstration last weekend. One of the instructors gave a demonstration of how to prune a tree. Would you mind giving us a demonstration so that we can see how the machine works? He brought along a copy of the software for demonstration. Students took part in several nonviolent demonstrations against the government. The latest tests are a clear demonstration that the vaccine works. Many people sent cards and flowers in demonstration of their sympathy.
Recent Examples on the Web Pro-Palestinian demonstrations are planned across Ireland and Northern Ireland this week, including a march to the U.S. Consulate in Belfast on Saturday. Marisa Bellack, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Jihan wasn’t sure what to think, but Ahmed believed that demonstrations would bring only chaos. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Her death led to daily protests in Louisville that summer and fall, as well as other demonstrations around the U.S. that took place in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The Courier-Journal, 11 Mar. 2024 The pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the heart of Hollywood snarled traffic around the Dolby Theatre, the venue where the show is held, resulting in a late start for the ceremony as A-listers scrambled to make it to their seats. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 10 Mar. 2024 The Cherry Festival kicks off Friday, June 28, with a classic car cruise and the airshow demonstration, and runs through Saturday, July 6. Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 9 Mar. 2024 In these demonstrations, the radiation sources emitted impulses of radiation across a wide range of frequencies, including terahertz. IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2024 And Genesis’ part in that, in her view, is a demonstration of how human freedom can coexist with divine foreknowledge, with a covenanted plan. Francis Spufford, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The reformist president has previously urged the Iranian government to be more lenient with protesters amid the 2022 nationwide demonstrations. Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'demonstration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English demonstracioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French demonstration, demustracioun, borrowed from Latin dēmonstrātiōn-, dēmonstrātiō "action of pointing out, description, explanation" (Late Latin, "deduction, proof"), from dēmonstrāre "to indicate, describe, show" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at demonstrate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of demonstration was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near demonstration

Cite this Entry

“Demonstration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demonstration. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

demonstration

noun
dem·​on·​stra·​tion ˌdem-ən-ˈstrā-shən How to pronounce demonstration (audio)
1
: an act, process, or means of demonstrating the truth of something:
a
: convincing evidence
b
: an explanation (as of a theory) by experiment
c
: a course of reasoning intended to prove that a conclusion must be true when certain conditions are accepted
d
: a showing or using of a product for sale to display its good points
2
: an outward expression or display
a demonstration of joy
3
: a show of armed force
4
: a public display of group feelings toward a person or cause

Medical Definition

demonstration

noun
dem·​on·​stra·​tion ˌdem-ən-ˈstrā-shən How to pronounce demonstration (audio)
: an act, process, or means of demonstrating to the intelligence
especially : a proof by experiment
a demonstration of the neutralization of an acid by a base
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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