1 (often passive 常用于被动语态) to be typical of sb/sth 成为…的特征:
the tastes that characterize Thai cooking典型泰国菜的味道
2characterize sb/sth (as sth) to describe what sb/sth is like 刻画…的特征:
The President characterized the meeting as friendly and positive.总统把这次会晤形容为友好和有益的。