GIVING MEANINGS IN ENGLISH

A good strategy to give the definition of a  word in English is knowing the way to start it. So, the first thing you have to know is what kind or what speech category the word is.

- If it is a noun you can start: "It is something that ..." 

For example: 

What is a pen?

It is something that you use to write.

- If it is a place you can start: " In this place you can ... ( say an action related to the place) or "It is a place in which you..."

For example:

What is a library?

It is a place in which you can read books.

- If it is an occupation or a word related to people: "It's the person who..."  or " This person ...(followed by an action in present simple)

For example:

What is a dentist?

It's the person who takes care of people´s teeth.