# elaboration

/ɪˌɫæbɝˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /ɪlˌæbəɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/elaboration
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

the process of adding more details to an idea or a system to make it more complete or complex. In computing, it often means making a simple system more advanced.

For teachers: the process of expanding on a concept or system by adding more details, complexity, or functionality. In a technical context, it refers to the refinement of a basic design into a more sophisticated one.

## Examples

- The new software update includes the elaboration of the user interface.
- The architect's initial sketch was followed by a detailed elaboration of the building's structural supports.
- The elaboration of the original theory required decades of experimental data to account for the observed anomalies in the system's behavior.

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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.