Google Tools: Definition Search - Like a Dictionary in Your Browser
As you may know, Google has a huge number of functions built into their search engine. From Patent Searches and stock quotes to movie show times and weather reports… they’ve included a lot of hidden features into that little search box.
One of the most useful features - and one I use on a daily basis - is the Dictionary Definition Search. By simply typing in “define:” prior to your search term, it tells google that you’re trying to locate the definition of a word. Since this is a very useful feature, I thought I would create a search plugin that automatically adds “define:” in front of the search query for you. Once this is installed in your browser, simply select “definitions” in your browser search list and type in the word you’re looking for.
One Word, Multiple Meanings.
One of the advantages of using Google definitions as opposed to other dictionary sources, is the amount of definitions Google will return. For example, I did a definition search for “Water” and Google returned over 50 different sites with their own definition of water. Most of these sites are trusted sources like Educational Organizations (.edu), Government (.gov), or Non-Profit Organizations (.org), but a few also come from trusted .com addresses as well.
Related Phrases
![](http://thelist.addoursearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/google-def-scrnshot.gif "Google Definitions for \\"Water\\" Screen Shot")
On top of just the definitions, Google will also return related words and phrases. As an example, using the definition of Water, Google also returned; Ground Water, Water Table, Hard Water, Soft Water, and Black Water among others.
Different Languages
The site will automatically defaults to the English definitions of words when using the main Google.com URL. However, if you speak another language or are curious about the definition of a word in another language, Google also provides you with links to view the definition in other languages as well.
Note: Addoursearch.com has obtained expressed written permission of Google Inc. to use the Google Logo and Name in this post.
