demonstration

noun

dem·​on·​stra·​tion ˌde-mən-ˈstrā-shən How to pronounce demonstration (audio)
Synonyms of demonstrationnext
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
ˌde-mən-ˈstrā-shnəl How to pronounce demonstration (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
adjective

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

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 Twenty protesters at Pomona College were arrested after storming and occupying the president’s office during a pro-Palestinian demonstration. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024 The demonstrations were a rare show of public outrage in Russia, where severe wartime repressions have squashed virtually all public dissent. —Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024 American University banned indoor demonstrations and Barnard College banned public protests, the report said, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst prevented students who participated in nonviolent protests from joining a study abroad program. —Emma Colton, Fox News, 7 Apr. 2024 The forged will be fired up, and an experienced metalworker will give demonstrations. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024 The short-sellers instead claimed instead that the company had simply run virgin polypropylene through the system as part of a demonstration run. —Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024 The protest followed three days of anti-government demonstrations in Jerusalem when thousands took to the streets calling for more action to free the hostages and new elections to replace Netanyahu. —NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024 Distortion Studios will open its doors to delegates attending the Creative Cities Convention, taking place in Bristol April 23-24, offering hands-on demonstrations and explanatory talks to small groups. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024 Last June, his main rival, Ousmane Sonko, was arrested, igniting demonstrations in which a number of protesters were killed. —Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 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

Phrases Containing demonstration

Dictionary Entries Near demonstration

demonstrate

demonstration

demonstrative

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Demonstration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demonstration. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Absent Letters That Are Heard Anyway
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

The Words of the Week - Apr. 12

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels

12 More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game You can make only 12 words. Pick the best ones!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A crossword with a twist
winning words from the national spelling bee logo
Spelling Bee Quiz Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...