demonstration
gb/dˌɛmənstɹˈeɪʃən/ us/dˌɛmənstɹˈeɪʃən/
A2
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
event
1
public protest or rally
A group of people meeting in public to show that they support or are against something.
Usage pattern:
a demonstration against/for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'demonstration' with 'demonstrator'; the former is the event, the latter is a person taking part.
Synonyms
protest (General term for expressing objection, can be verbal or physical; 'demonstration' usually refers to a public gathering.)
Antonyms
celebration (An event held to express joy or honor something, opposite in intent to most demonstrations.)
Collocations
hold a demonstration
|peaceful demonstration
|anti-government demonstration
|mass demonstration
Themes
politics
|society
|activism
|law
|communication
Examples
- Thousands joined the demonstration against climate change.
- Police were deployed to control the large demonstration.
- The demonstration outside the parliament lasted several hours.
Learner examples
- Many people went to the city for the demonstration.
- The demonstration was about workers' rights.
- We saw a big demonstration in the park.
Noun
A2
action
2
showing how something works
When a person shows how to do something or how something works.
Usage pattern:
a demonstration of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'demonstration' with 'display'; 'display' focuses on showing something, not necessarily explaining how it works.
Synonyms
presentation (A more general term for sharing information; may not involve showing a process physically.)
Antonyms
explanation (Describes something in words without physically showing it.)
Collocations
give a demonstration
|live demonstration
|cooking demonstration
|product demonstration
Themes
education
|technology
|business
|work
|communication
Examples
- The teacher gave a demonstration of the experiment.
- We attended a cooking demonstration at the food festival.
- The salesperson offered a live demonstration of the new phone.
Learner examples
- The chef gave a cooking demonstration.
- He showed a demonstration of the new game.
- She did a demonstration of the dance steps.
Noun
B2
action
3
clear display of quality or feeling
Something that shows clearly that a quality, feeling, or fact is true.
Usage pattern:
a demonstration of [quality/feeling]
Synonyms
expression (Focuses more on outward signs of feelings, whereas 'demonstration' can also show abilities or facts.)
Antonyms
concealment (Hiding or keeping a quality or feeling from being noticed.)
Collocations
demonstration of love
|demonstration of skill
|demonstration of support
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her quick action was a clear demonstration of courage.
- The applause was a strong demonstration of their appreciation.
- His success is a demonstration of hard work paying off.
Learner examples
- The gift was a demonstration of his love.
- Her work is a demonstration of her talent.
- This is a demonstration of good teamwork.
Grammar
Dictionary form
demonstration
IPA
GB/dˌɛmənstɹˈeɪʃən/
US/dˌɛmənstɹˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
demon - stra - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (tion)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: demonstration
- Plural: demonstration, demonstrations
Word family
Forms
demonstrations
noun
Core family
demonstrate
verb B1
Related words
demonstrator
noun B2
demo
noun B1
Advanced or less common
demonstrable
adjective
demonstrably
adverb
demonstrative
adjective
Expressions
peaceful demonstration
1/pˈisfəl dˌɛmənstɹˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
nonviolent public protest
A public meeting where people show their opinions without using violence.
Examples
- The students organized a peaceful demonstration in front of city hall.
- Police monitored the peaceful demonstration closely.
public demonstration
1/pˈʌblɪk dˌɛmənstɹˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
open event showing opinions or skills
An event where people show their ideas, protests, or skills in front of others.
Examples
- The invention was unveiled at a public demonstration.
- A public demonstration was held to protest the decision.
stage a demonstration
1/stˈeɪd͡ʒ ə dˌɛmənstɹˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
organize and hold protest
To plan and make a public protest happen.
Examples
- Workers decided to stage a demonstration over pay cuts.
- Activists staged a demonstration outside the embassy.