Definition is not an explanation.
A definition is choosing the most accurate meaning of a problem, and then eliminating all other misunderstandings.
A definition is not explaining — it is selecting the one correct meaning and eliminating all misunderstandings
Why Is a Definition Necessary?
Because a problem always has many interpretations:
- wrong understanding
- incomplete understanding
- approximate understanding.
👉 Without a definition: everyone will understand it differently—and all of them could be wrong.
The Nature of Definition
A definition is not about “making things easy to understand.”
👉 Instead, it’s: forcing a problem into a single, single interpretation.
Ex: What is SEO?
👉The precise definition of SEO:
SEO is the process of making Google believe that your website is the most relevant and trustworthy answer to a search query — so that Google will select and display it at the top of the search results.
How To Define a Problem
List all possible interpretations
👉 Identify all the “noise areas”.
Eliminate what is wrong or inappropriate
👉 Cut out misunderstandings.
Choose the most accurate meaning according to context
👉 Not just generally correct — but correct for the question being asked.
Remove unnecessary and easily misunderstood parts
👉 Read once → understand one meaning.
👉 Rephrase it so that it cannot be misinterpreted.
Standards of a Correct Definition
- No two interpretations
- No need for further explanation
- Others can repeat it without error.
👉 If further explanation is needed…that’s not a definition.
Ex: What SEO content actually is?
👉The precise definition of SEO content:
SEO content is not an SEO technique.
It’s about optimizing how people read and understand your content—to the point where they no longer need any other search results.
Common Mistakes When Defining
Using synonyms to explain
👉 “a definition is a solution…” “like…” “similar to the meaning…” → loop.
Keeping multiple interpretations for “safety”
👉 Result: everyone can understand it however they want.
Writing long to be “complete”
👉 The longer it is → the easier it is to get wrong.
What Does a Correct Definition Look Like?
- Clear
- Short
- Cannot be misunderstood.
Closing
Definition = choosing the most accurate meaning of a problem, then eliminating all misunderstandings — and expressing it in a way that cannot be misinterpreted.
If you read it and can still understand it in two different ways… then it’s not a definition.