detailing
noun
de·tail·ing
ˈdē-ˌtāl-iŋ 
: the act, process, or result of detailing something: such as
a
: small design elements
It's subtle, like detailing on an expensive suit.—
Patricia Leigh Brown
Patricia Leigh BrownAbout a thousand people are crammed into the Cabaret Metro, a funky old theater with a balcony overlooking a ballroom floor and a grand stage trimmed with wedding-cake detailing.—Doug Simmons
Doug SimmonsThe unsophisticated nature of the detailing and construction indicates that these chairs were made by an untrained craftsman, but over-all they suggest an awareness of high style furniture.—Page Talbott
Page Talbott
b
: the reporting or recounting of details in describing something
… a bit too much detailing of Strauss's marital relations …—Judith Crist
Judith CristThe above is not a precise detailing of the Japanese consensus; public opinion varies widely, …—Paul Blustein
Paul BlusteinPeccavi is billed as "a haven for the health-conscious gourmet," but I found the detailing of calories per dish and the abstemiousness of even the salads to be the sort of penance I'd rather not repeat.—Andy Birsh
Andy Birsh
c
: the meticulous cleaning and refurbishing of an automobile
While some owners prefer to clean their own vehicle, a complete auto detailing may be worth the cost, especially when done by professionals.—Doug Bonderud
Doug BonderudExamples of detailing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Don’t miss the chance to grab this end table from the Trisha Yearwood Home Collection, featuring lattice detailing and a large drawer for storage.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Chancy of Atelier Ndigo created pieces that feel like wearable art, incorporating the Choublak (Hibiscus) flower as a focal point in embroidery and button detailing.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Pavlovich identified herself in an interview with New York magazine, which published an article in January 2025 detailing allegations of assault, abuse and coercion leveled by eight women.
—Todd Richmond, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
This pillow has details that keep on giving—from a fringe border to a bold stripe to zigzag detailing, all in playful color palettes perfect for creating dimension and texture in your bedding set.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detailing
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Chancy of Atelier Ndigo created pieces that feel like wearable art, incorporating the Choublak (Hibiscus) flower as a focal point in embroidery and button detailing.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Pavlovich identified herself in an interview with New York magazine, which published an article in January 2025 detailing allegations of assault, abuse and coercion leveled by eight women.
—Todd Richmond, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
This pillow has details that keep on giving—from a fringe border to a bold stripe to zigzag detailing, all in playful color palettes perfect for creating dimension and texture in your bedding set.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detailing
Cite this Entry
“Detailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detailing. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
