dɛmənˈstɹeɪʃən ˌmænɪfɛˈsteɪʃən ˈmɒnstɹəns ˈmɑnztɹəns ˌpɹɛzənˈteɪʃən pɹɪˈzɛntmənt a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view the presentation of new data he gave the customer a demonstration a show of military force or preparedness he confused the enemy with feints and demonstrations a public display of group feelings (usually of a political nature) there were violent demonstrations against the war proof by a process of argument or a series of proposition proving an asserted conclusion a visual presentation showing how something works the lecture was accompanied by dramatic demonstrations the lecturer shot off a pistol as a demonstration of the startle response