given

adjective

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giv·en | \ ˈgi-vən \

Definition of given

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : particular, specified at a given time

b : assumed as actual or hypothetical : granted given that all are equal before the law

2 : prone, disposed given to swearing

3 : presented as a gift : bestowed without compensation

4 of an official document : having been executed : dated

5 : immediately present in experience

given

noun

Definition of given (Entry 2 of 3)

: something given especially : something taken for granted : a basic condition or assumption It is a given that we are in an age of relentless competition.

given

preposition

Definition of given (Entry 3 of 3)

: in view of : considering Given what she knew about others' lives, how could she complain about her own?— Marilyn French

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About given

Examples of given in a Sentence

Adjective a quiet man not given to loud expressions of emotion candidates for the quiz show must complete the qualifying test within a given amount of time

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Big-league ballplayers are savvy enough to pump up themselves for any given moment including crunch time in a World Series. — John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Nov. 2021 At any given moment in Southern California, in markets hot and cold, hundreds of stellar estates are listed for sale. — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2021

Predictive analytics allow retailers to look ahead at very granular levels, harnessing local patterns of demand to understand what’s happening in each community—or even with each customer—at any given moment, and feed that into planning decisions. — Jill Standish, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2021 At any given moment, there’s an obstacle in your path. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 20 Oct. 2021 At any given moment, a snapshot of the Red Sox bullpen in the middle and late innings looks like a yoga studio, with a half-dozen pitchers simultaneously stretching. — BostonGlobe.com, 27 Sep. 2021 The film then spirals in a boring mess of trudging through the woods, sprained ankles and wet shoes, when at any given moment, their stalked could simply pop any of them with a rifle shot. — Paul Tassi, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2021 And their freedom was precarious: At any given moment, they could be arrested and either returned to their owners or sold into slavery. — USA Today, 2 Sep. 2021 At any given moment, one of us recognizes the music is right in our wheelhouse and takes charge. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Aug. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun That had coach James Borrego stressing that there would be no givens with his lineups going forward. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, 30 Nov. 2019 Cassidy has David Krejci, Jake DeBrusk, and Coyle as his three givens on his second and third lines. — BostonGlobe.com, 12 Oct. 2019 And though both are givens in fashion drops around their respective season, corduroy still hasn't totally shed its nostalgic veneer. — Ana Colón, Glamour, 22 Sep. 2018 Getty There are a few givens in the life of a professional tennis player: constant training, a calorie-pinching diet, and global travel for 11 months out of the year. — Jeryl Lippe, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2018 Of that group, Friedrich and Cosart are far from givens to return – at least on major league deals. — Jeff Sanders, sandiegouniontribune.com, 11 Oct. 2017 To Jones, there are two givens, his enduring love for South Florida, with an upcoming return to his Southwest Ranches home in summer, and an abiding respect for the Heat's culture. — Ira Winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, 14 July 2018 Tennessee's defense will be one of the great givens of the 2018-19 season. — Patrick Stevens, chicagotribune.com, 3 Apr. 2018 Although people are born with some biological givens, the brain has many blank pages. — Rob Verger, Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'given.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near given

give me a break

given

given name

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Last Updated

13 Nov 2021

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Cite this Entry

“Given.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/given. Accessed 13 Dec. 2021.

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More Definitions for given

given

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of given

(Entry 1 of 3)

—used to refer to a particular time, place, etc., that has been, will be, or might be specified

given

noun

English Language Learners Definition of given (Entry 2 of 3)

: something that is regarded or accepted as true or real : a basic fact or assumption

given

preposition

English Language Learners Definition of given (Entry 3 of 3)

—used to indicate something that is being assumed or considered —often used in the phrase given that

See the full definition for given in the English Language Learners Dictionary

given

adjective

giv·en | \ ˈgi-vən \

Kids Definition of given

1 : being likely to have or do something They are given to quarreling.

2 : decided on beforehand We meet at a given time.

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given

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given

Definition of given

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The first known use of given was in the 14th century

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