# demonstrate

/ˈdɛmənˌstɹeɪt/ (US) · /dˈɛmənstɹˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/demonstrate
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to prove or show clearly

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to show that something is true by giving proof or evidence.

For teachers: to establish the validity of a proposition or theory through evidence or logical reasoning.

- The latest research results demonstrate that the new medicine is safe for children.
- The study fails to demonstrate a significant correlation between the two variables, suggesting that further longitudinal research is required.

Usage: Often takes a 'that' clause or a direct object.

### 2. to show how to use

verb · CEFR B2

to show someone how to do something or how a machine works.

For teachers: to explain or illustrate by experiment, example, or practical application.

- The chef will demonstrate how to make the perfect pasta dough.
- The technician spent the afternoon demonstrating the new software's capabilities to the administrative staff to ensure a smooth transition.

Usage: Commonly used with 'how to'.

### 3. to protest

verb · CEFR B2

to join a large group of people in public to show you disagree with something.

For teachers: to participate in a public meeting or march to express political views or protest against a specific issue.

- Thousands of students gathered in the city centre to demonstrate against the new law.
- Citizens have the constitutional right to demonstrate peacefully, provided they do not obstruct the flow of essential traffic.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'against'.

## Examples

- The teacher will demonstrate how to solve the math problem.
- The latest sales figures demonstrate that our new marketing strategy is working effectively.
- The researcher sought to demonstrate the correlation between sleep deprivation and cognitive decline through a series of controlled longitudinal studies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.