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Demonstrate: meaning and sentence examples

demonstrate means to show clearly by doing or by explaining how something works. Watch the story, then try free practice below.

Read the story

I can spin this basketball on one finger!

That's a claim. Show me.

Watch this.

Now you're showing it, not just saying it.

Demonstrate means show clearly by doing, or by showing how something works.

I can do that too!

Demonstrate it.

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Explore the word · verb

What does demonstrate mean?

to show clearly by doing or by explaining how something works.

How the story shows the meaning

Saying “I can do it” makes a claim. Performing the skill lets another person see it. The action demonstrates the ability instead of leaving it as an unsupported statement.

demonstrate in a sentence

  • The coach will demonstrate the movement before the team tries it.
  • Use a diagram to demonstrate how water moves through the model.
  • Her careful explanation demonstrated that she understood the problem.

Demonstrate can mean showing how to do something or making something evident. In other contexts it can refer to taking part in a public protest; this video focuses on showing a skill.

Check your understanding

Which action demonstrates how to fold a paper boat?

Read the answer and explanation

Folding the paper step by step while a partner watches. Correct. The partner can see how the process works.

Try two more questions

Explain your thinking, then open a sample answer. These are extra practice examples to use after watching.

1. How could you demonstrate that a magnet attracts a paper clip?

Show sample answer

Bring the magnet close to a paper clip and let the observer see the clip move toward it. Describe what you tested rather than claiming all materials are magnetic.

2. Write an instruction using demonstrate for someone teaching a new skill.

Show sample answer

One possible answer is “Please demonstrate how to measure the flour before I try.” The sentence names the skill to be shown.

Companion lesson by Parrivo · Updated