demonstration
[noun]
Synonyms:
- march, mass lobby, parade, picket, protest, rally, sit-in
- explanation, description, exposition, presentation, test, trial
- proof, confirmation, display, evidence, exhibition, expression, illustration, testimony

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

dem‧on‧stra‧tion W3 AC /ˌdemənˈstreɪʃən/ noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: demonstration, demonstrator; adverb: demonstrably, demonstratively; adjective: demonstrable, demonstrative; verb: demonstrate]

1. an event at which a large group of people meet to protest or to support something in public ⇒ protest:
Supporters staged a demonstration outside the US embassy.
Police opened fire on a peaceful demonstration.
demonstration against
a demonstration against the government’s educational policies

2. an act of explaining and showing how to do something or how something works
demonstration of
He gave a practical demonstration of the boat’s military potential.
a cookery demonstration

3. formal an action that proves that someone or something has a particular ability, quality, or feeling
demonstration of
The high level of calls is a clear demonstration of the need for this service.
a physical demonstration of affection

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

demonstration
noun
I. public protest/march
ADJ. big, huge, large, large-scale, major, massive | mass, popular, public mass demonstrations against cuts in the health service The president's decision provoked public demonstrations.
street | spontaneous | peaceful Thousands gathered for a peaceful demonstration.
violent | hostile | protest a protest demonstration against the war
student | opposition | anti-war, pro-democracy, etc.
VERB + DEMONSTRATION hold, organize, stage Taxi drivers staged a demonstration against the new law.
go on, join, participate in, take part in | call off The demonstration was called off at the last minute.
break up, disperse Police in riot gear dispersed the demonstration.
ban, suppress | provoke, spark (off) The minister does not wish to provoke further demonstrations.
DEMONSTRATION + VERB take place | call for sth demonstrations calling for an end to sanctions
greet The visiting president was greeted by hostile demonstrations.
PREP. at a/the ~ police intervention at demonstrations
during a/the ~ Hundreds were arrested during demonstrations in the capital.
~ against, ~ in protest at demonstrations in protest at the arrests
~ in favour of, ~ in support of student demonstrations in favour of a multi-party system

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

demonstration
II. showing/explaining sth
ADJ. physical, practical physical demonstrations of affection
cookery, product, etc.
VERB + DEMONSTRATION do, give sb I'll give a quick demonstration of some knitting techniques.
watch

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

demonstration
III. sth that shows clearly that sth is true
ADJ. clear, convincing, dramatic, impressive, perfect, vivid The strike was a dramatic demonstration of the power of the workforce.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

demonstration

hold/stage a demonstration (=organize and take part in one)
In April, students began holding demonstrations to demand more freedom.
organize a demonstration
A large demonstration was organized by the opposition.
take part in a demonstration (also participate in a demonstration formal)
As many as 400,000 people took part in the demonstration.
go on a demonstration British English (=take part in a demonstration)
I've never been on a demonstration before.
join a demonstration
They were prevented by police from joining the demonstration.
break up a demonstration (=prevent it from continuing)
Police moved in to break up the demonstration.
provoke/spark a demonstration (=cause it)
The incident sparked a demonstration of 2,000 people.
a demonstration takes place
Violent street demonstrations took place in the capital.
a big/large demonstration
Opponents of the new law are planning a big demonstration next week.
a huge/massive demonstration (=very big)
a series of massive demonstrations against the war
a mass demonstration (=involving a very large number of people)
There have been mass demonstrations in some American cities.
a peaceful demonstration
Everyone has the right to take part in peaceful demonstrations.
a violent demonstration
Nine people have been killed during violent demonstrations.
a street demonstration (=in the streets of a city)
A street demonstration completely blocked the centre of the city.
a student demonstration (=by students)
In France, student demonstrations were disrupting university teaching.
a public demonstration (=by members of the public)
A series of public demonstrations have been held in cities across the country.
a protest demonstration (=in which people protest against something)
The price increases were met by a series of strikes and protest demonstrations.
a political demonstration (=to protest about the government or a political policy)
She was arrested twice for her part in political demonstrations.
an anti-government/pro-democracy etc demonstration
There have been further violent anti-government demonstrations this week.
a demonstration in support of something/somebody
public demonstrations in support of the rebels
a demonstration in protest at something
There were demonstrations in protest at the food shortages.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

demonstration
noun
BAD: Many demonstrations have been made in recent years in protest against the level of pollution.
GOOD: Many demonstrations have been held in recent years in protest against the level of pollution.

Usage Note:
hold/stage a demonstration (NOT make ): 'In London, students and lecturers staged a mass demonstration against the proposed education cuts.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲