---
title: metaobjectDefinitionByType - GraphQL Admin
description: >-
  Retrieves a
  [`MetaobjectDefinition`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/MetaobjectDefinition)
  by its type. The type serves as a unique identifier that distinguishes one
  metaobject definition from another.
api_version: 2025-01
api_name: admin
type: query
api_type: graphql
source_url:
  html: >-
    https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/2025-01/queries/metaobjectDefinitionByType
  md: >-
    https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/2025-01/queries/metaobjectDefinitionByType.md
---

# metaobject​Definition​By​Type

query

Requires `read_metaobject_definitions` access scope.

Retrieves a [`MetaobjectDefinition`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/MetaobjectDefinition) by its type. The type serves as a unique identifier that distinguishes one metaobject definition from another.

## Arguments

* type

  [String!](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/2025-01/scalars/String)

  required

  The type of the metaobject definition to return.

***

## Possible returns

* Metaobject​Definition

  [Metaobject​Definition](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/2025-01/objects/MetaobjectDefinition)

  Defines the structure and configuration for a custom data type in Shopify. Each definition specifies the fields, validation rules, and capabilities that apply to all [`Metaobject`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/Metaobject) entries created from it.

  The definition includes field definitions that determine what data to store, access controls for [the Shopify admin](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/custom-data/permissions#admin-permissions) and [Storefront](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/custom-data/permissions#storefront-permissions) APIs, and capabilities such as publishability and translatability. You can track which [`App`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/App) or [`StaffMember`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/StaffMember) created the definition and optionally base it on a [`StandardMetaobjectDefinitionTemplate`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/StandardMetaobjectDefinitionTemplate).

***

## Examples

* ### metaobjectDefinitionByType reference

## Query Reference

```graphql
{
  metaobjectDefinitionByType(type) {
    # metaobjectDefinitionByType fields
  }
}
```