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Definition of "gist" []

  • The central idea; the essence. See Synonyms at substance. (noun)
  • Law The grounds for action in a suit. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "gist" in a sentence
  • "With the iPad app, the gist is the same -- free music based on your tastes."
  • "I very strongly doubt I quoted him 100 per cent correctly, but the gist is there."
  • "Substitute that loaded word "poor" and add something of your own choosing because all the characters in Darkmans are rich in many other ways but the gist is the same."