---
title: metaobjectDefinition - GraphQL Admin
description: |-
  Retrieves a [`MetaobjectDefinition`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/MetaobjectDefinition) by its global ID. Metaobject definitions provide the structure and fields for metaobjects.

  The definition includes field configurations, access settings, display preferences, and capabilities that determine how [metaobjects](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/Metaobject) of this type behave across the Shopify platform.
api_version: 2025-10
api_name: admin
type: query
api_type: graphql
source_url:
  html: https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/queries/metaobjectdefinition
  md: https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/queries/metaobjectdefinition.md
---

# metaobject​Definition

query

Requires `read_metaobject_definitions` access scope.

Retrieves a [`MetaobjectDefinition`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/MetaobjectDefinition) by its global ID. Metaobject definitions provide the structure and fields for metaobjects.

The definition includes field configurations, access settings, display preferences, and capabilities that determine how [metaobjects](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/Metaobject) of this type behave across the Shopify platform.

## Arguments

* id

  [ID!](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/scalars/ID)

  required

  The ID of the metaobject to return.

***

## Possible returns

* Metaobject​Definition

  [Metaobject​Definition](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/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

* ### metaobjectDefinition reference

## Query Reference

```graphql
{
  metaobjectDefinition(id) {
    # metaobjectDefinition fields
  }
}
```