What is the DEFINITION OF charge on my credit card?

What this charge usually means

A line item shown as DEFINITION OF is commonly linked to Definition-Of.com, an online community dictionary operated by Farlex. In many cases, this descriptor appears when a payment processor shortens the merchant name on your card statement. Because statement text is often limited, the descriptor may not include the full website, product name, or order details.

It is important to know that this descriptor is not highly specific. Banks sometimes display only part of the merchant descriptor, and some service-related fees can look similar. That means the charge could be legitimate, but you should still verify it before assuming it is correct.

Why it appeared on your statement

You might see this charge for several practical reasons:

• A card-on-file payment was processed under a shortened descriptor.
• A trial, add-on, or service fee posted separately from your original transaction.
• A digital purchase was routed through a processor that replaced the full business name.
• A family member or employee used your card and did not recognize the statement text.
• A merchant descriptor mismatch occurred, where your receipt name differs from your bank statement.

If you also use platforms with abbreviated descriptors, compare this pattern with other examples such as Patreon and Cash App. Descriptor formatting can vary widely across processors.

How to verify the charge quickly

Start with your own records before filing a dispute. Check your email inbox for receipts, account notices, and renewal confirmations on the transaction date. Then compare the exact amount, posting date, and card ending digits. Pending authorizations and final posted charges can differ by a small amount, so wait for final settlement if the transaction is still pending.

• Search your inbox for “definition-of,” “Farlex,” and the exact amount.
• Review browser history for any recent visit to definition-of.com.
• Ask authorized users on the card whether they made the purchase.
• Contact the merchant support channel with date, amount, and last 4 card digits.

If support confirms no matching order, treat the transaction as potentially unauthorized and move to dispute steps immediately.

How to cancel or prevent future charges

If the payment is tied to an active account or recurring service arrangement, cancel directly through the merchant account settings first, then keep confirmation records. If no account exists, contact support and request a cancellation block by card token or transaction reference. Ask for written confirmation so you can provide it to your bank if another charge appears.

• Cancel any active plan from the merchant portal if available.
• Request email confirmation of cancellation and any refund decision.
• Save screenshots of cancellation pages and support replies.
• Set a card alert for small test charges and new card-not-present activity.

How to dispute the charge with your bank

Dispute if the transaction is unauthorized, duplicated, or not delivered as promised. File through your card issuer app or by phone, then upload evidence: receipts, cancellation confirmations, support transcripts, and timeline notes. Use concise facts and exact dates. Most issuers issue provisional credit while they investigate, but policies differ by network and bank.

For best results, submit your dispute promptly after the charge posts. If fraud is suspected, request a card replacement to prevent repeat attempts. Continue monitoring statements for related descriptors over the next one to two billing cycles.