ALTERNATIVE definition: a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of things, propositions, or courses of action, the selection of which precludes any other possibility. See examples of alternative used in a sentence. We've been looking for alternatives to the usual treatment, but it seems there are few options. The Anti-Google self-hosted alternative to Google Maps for importing location history from popular sources, displaying journeys with customizable map layers and charts, and private statistics. / ɑːlˈtɝː.nə.t̬ɪv / B2 something that is different from something else, especially from what is usual, and offering the possibility of choice: an alternative to an alternative to coffee · As an adjective, alternative can mean allowing or requiring a choice between two or more things, as in We wrote an alternative statement in case the first was rejected by the board. Thesaurus.com is the world's largest and most trusted online thesaurus for 25+ years. Join millions of people and grow your mastery of the English language. The meaning of ALTERNATIVE is offering or expressing a choice. How to use alternative in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Alternative.