refinement
noun
re·fine·ment
ri-ˈfīn-mənt 
1
: the action or process of refining
2
: the quality or state of being refined : cultivation
3
a
: a refined feature or method
b
: a highly refined distinction : subtlety
c
: a contrivance or device intended to improve or perfect
Synonyms
Examples of refinement in a Sentence
the recent refinements in this area of medical technology
had a sense of refinement that her small hometown couldn't satisfy, so she moved to New York City to be closer to great museums and concert halls
Recent Examples on the Web
The output often requires refinement, and human judgment remains critical.
—
Joel Montvelisky, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
He has mostly been used on the right but can operate on either flank and, while his end product still requires refinement, the less glamorous parts of his job come naturally.
—Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
What does the microdata refinement department do, anyway?
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025
The delegates themselves had proposed a refinement to the voting, asking for the results to be covered beneath a privacy flap, so that social influence had less sway over their choices.
—Nick Romeo, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for refinement 
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Joel Montvelisky, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
He has mostly been used on the right but can operate on either flank and, while his end product still requires refinement, the less glamorous parts of his job come naturally.
—Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
What does the microdata refinement department do, anyway?
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025
The delegates themselves had proposed a refinement to the voting, asking for the results to be covered beneath a privacy flap, so that social influence had less sway over their choices.
—Nick Romeo, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for refinement
Dictionary Entries Near refinement
Cite this Entry
“Refinement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refinement. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
refinement
noun
re·fine·ment
ri-ˈfīn-mənt
1
: the action or process of refining
2
: the state of being refined : cultivation
3
a
: something that has been refined
refinements in dress and behavior
b
: something intended to improve or refine
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