demonstration
deh-muhn-STRAY-shuhn
Demonstration (noun) means an act of showing or explaining how something works. Example: “The salesman gave a quick demonstration of how the vacuum cleaner picks up pet hair.”
noun
1
An act of showing or explaining how something works.
"The salesman gave a quick demonstration of how the vacuum cleaner picks up pet hair."
"The store gave a free demonstration of the new blender."
"Her cooking demonstration drew a large crowd."
2
A public gathering held to express a shared opinion, often a protest.
"Students organised a peaceful demonstration to ask for safer crossings near the school."
"Thousands joined the demonstration against the proposed cuts."
"Police monitored the peaceful demonstration outside city hall."
3
Clear proof or evidence of something.
"The experiment gave a clear demonstration of how plants grow towards light."
"Her calm reaction in the crisis was a fine demonstration of her leadership."
"His generosity was a demonstration of true character."
How to use demonstration
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither showing someone how something works, or a public protest, or proof of something.
Common pairings
public demonstration
product demonstration
demonstration of support
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Word forms
- Plural
- demonstrations
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Etymology
From Old French demonstration, from Latin dēmōnstrātiōnem, from dēmōnstrāre, "to show or explain."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for demonstration
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for demonstration →
Frequently asked questions
What does “demonstration” mean?
The word “demonstration” means an act of showing or explaining how something works. In plain terms, either showing someone how something works, or a public protest, or proof of something.
How do you pronounce “demonstration”?
“Demonstration” is pronounced deh-muhn-STRAY-shuhn (/dɛmənˈstɹeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “demonstration” in a sentence?
Here is “demonstration” used in a sentence: “The store gave a free demonstration of the new blender.”
What part of speech is “demonstration”?
“Demonstration” is a noun.
Where does the word “demonstration” come from?
The word “demonstration” comes from Latin. From Old French demonstration, from Latin dēmōnstrātiōnem, from dēmōnstrāre, "to show or explain.".
Is “demonstration” a common word?
“Demonstration” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “demonstration” have?
“Demonstration” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an act of showing or explaining how something works.
What is the difference between a demonstration and a protest?
A demonstration is any public gathering held to express a shared opinion, and a protest is specifically one that expresses objection or disapproval. Most demonstrations are protests, but a demonstration can also show support for a cause. Protest emphasizes what the crowd is against; demonstration emphasizes the public showing of opinion itself.
What is the difference between a demonstration and a rally?
Both are public gatherings around a shared opinion or cause. A rally is usually organized to build enthusiasm and support, often centred on speeches in one place, while a demonstration more often involves marching or visible public protest. In news reporting the two words frequently overlap.
What verbs go with demonstration?
For the showing sense, you give a demonstration: "The chef gave a demonstration of the technique." For the public-gathering sense, you hold, stage, or take part in a demonstration. Choosing the right verb signals which meaning you intend.
Is demo an acceptable short form of demonstration?
Yes, in informal contexts — demo is standard shorthand for a product or software demonstration, and in British English it is also common for a protest, as in "an anti-war demo." In formal writing, demonstration is the safer choice for every sense.
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