Definition of "the"

Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun

1. The definite grammatical article that implies necessarily that the noun phrase it immediately precedes is definitely identifiable

   1. because it has already been mentioned, is to be completely specified in the same sentence, or very shortly thereafter.  quotations  examples

      Quotations

      • I sleep in the bedroom!

        2016, VOA Learning English‎, archived from the original on 30 September 2017

   2. because it is presumed to be definitely known in context or from shared knowledge

      1. Used before a noun designating something considered to be unique, or of which there is only one at a time.  quotations  examples

         Quotations

         • I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

           1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Revelation 1:8, column 2

      2. Used to indicate a certain example of (a noun) which is usually of most concern or most common or familiar.  examples

      3. Used before a body part, a family member, a pet (especially of someone previously mentioned), as an alternative to a possessive pronoun.  examples

      4. Used in many idiomatic expressions and proverbs to refer to common objects, roles, or situations connected with something definite, as by analogy  examples

2. When stressed, indicates that it describes something which is considered to be best or exclusively worthy of attention.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • "Good Heavens, man! Why, he is the authority. If you want pure laboratory experiments those are the books."

     1925 July – 1926 May, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “(please specify the chapter number)”, in The Land of Mist (eBook no. 0601351h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg Australia, published April 2019

   • “New Kid On The Block” doubles as a terrific showcase for the Sea Captain who, in the grand tradition of Simpsons supporting characters, quickly goes from being a stereotype to an archetype, from being a crusty sea-captain character to the crusty sea-captain character.

     2012 May 27, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992)”, in The Onion AV Club‎

3. Used before a noun phrase beginning with superlative or comparative adjective or an ordinal number, indicating that the noun refers to a single item.  examples

4. Introducing a singular term to be taken generically: preceding a name of something standing for a whole class.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • Stern and God-fearing, the Afrikaner takes his religion seriously.

     1994, Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, Abacus, published 2010, page 536

5. Used with the plural of a surname to indicate the entire family.  examples

Used with an adjective

1. Added to a superlative or an ordinal number to make it into a substantive.  examples

2. Used before an adjective, indicating all things (especially persons) described by that adjective.  examples

With a comparative or with more and a verb phrase, establishes a correlation with one or more other such comparatives.  examples

With a comparative, and often with for it, indicates a result more like said comparative. This can be negated with none.  examples

(with a superlative adjective) Beyond all others.  examples

For each; per.  quotations  examples