The short answer
Define a term with its category, distinguishing meaning and important limitation. Keep the wording understandable when quoted alone. A useful definition should explain the concept without pretending that a shorthand label replaces the details needed to apply it.
A worked example
A fictional metrics article defines an imported score as a value supplied in the owner dataset, not a live measurement. That distinction remains understandable outside the article. A vague definition such as 'a powerful authority indicator' would add persuasion but leave the reader unsure about source, timing and scope.
A practical checklist
- Name the term and explain what kind of thing it is. Avoid defining it entirely through another unexplained abbreviation.
- Add the distinction most likely to prevent a mistaken decision. For a tool result, say whether it is a conversion, estimate, stored observation or live measurement.
- Use a small example and link to the fuller explanation. Read the definition without its heading to check that the wording still identifies the subject clearly.
What to avoid
Avoid inserting promotional claims into definitions or leaving out the condition that makes the statement accurate. A concise answer can still carry uncertainty. Do not imply that a particular phrasing forces an answer engine to select or repeat it.
A useful follow-up
Should I remove every qualification to make a definition shorter?
No. Keep qualifications that affect meaning; remove repetition and jargon instead.
