40 Definition Essay Topics For High School And College-Aged Students

The purpose of a definition essay is to give a definition of a particular word, phrase or concept. The item being defined should be academic and personal. It’s not enough to just give detailed definitions or examples of the word or phrase; you must also elaborate on the term and put it into a context that the reader can easily understand. For this reason, it’s important you choose a word, phrase or concept that you can write extensively on. The following is a list of great definition essay topics written specifically for high school or college-level assignments:

Definition Essay Topics about Personality

1. What does it mean to create a “self-portrait”?
2. What is meant by the term “home body”?
3. What does it mean to be a “night owl”?
4. What does “aggressive personality” mean?
5. What does the concept of “body image” mean?
6. What is meant by being a “risk taker”?
7. What does it mean to be “self-aware”?
8. What is meant by the term “obedient”?
9. What is meant by the term “loyalty”?
10. What does it mean to be “motivated”?

Definition Essay Topics about Education

1. What does it mean to attain a “higher education”?
2. What is meant by the term “bussing students”?
3. What does it mean to achieve “academic success”?
4. What is meant by “adaptive physical education”?
5. What is meant by “special education learning”?
6. What is the origin and meaning of “intellectual history”?
7. What does the term “standardized testing”?
8. What is the origin of “affirmative action”?
9. What is the definition of a “good university”?
10. What does “accredited institution” mean?

Definition Essay Topics about Arts and Culture

1. What is meant by the “Living Theater”?
2. What does it mean to create “modern art”?
3. What is the definition of “Actor’s Studio”?
4. What does it meant to create “classical art”?
5. What is meant by the term “artistic liberty”?
6. What does “married to technology” mean?
7. What does “ecology in art” mean?
8. What is meant by “urban architecture”?
9. What is the meaning of “musical therapy”?
10. What was the “Harlem Renaissance?”

Definition Essay Topics about Current Events

1. Define the political term “Alt Right”.
2. What is meant by the “Mueller Report”?
3. What is meant by the “opioid crisis”?
4. What is meant by “bleeding heart Liberals”?
5. What does the term “snowflake” mean?
6. What is meant by the “New Green Deal”?
7. What does the term “Articles of Impeachment”?
8. What is meant by “town hall debate”?
9. What does the term “illegal immigrant” mean?
10. What is meant by “political refugee”?

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