The problem of definition is among the most important logical discussions within the Aristotelian logical tradition. This issue has been presented and pursued in the Islamic tradition in light of Aristotle’s logical thoughts. Influenced by Aristotle’s thought, the Peripatetic philosophers held to the essential definition (ḥadd) and descriptive definition (rasm) with respect to definition. They maintained that an essential definition must contain the essential constituents of the object being defined, whereas in a descriptive definition, an object’s property may be mentioned alongside some of its essential constituents in order to achieve cognition of it. The Peripatetics argue that the hierarchy of species and genera employed in essential definition must ultimately terminate in genus of genera (jins al-ajnās) that is itself self-evident and therefore not in need of essential definition. These genera are referred to as the Ten Categories (al-maqūlāt al-ʿashr). In contrast, Suhrawardī maintains that it is not possible to arrive at the essential definition of things in order to know objects. He critiques the Peripatetic position and instead emphasizes the role of intuitive vision (shuhūd) in the cognition of reality. The present article first examines Suhrawardī’s innovative perspective on conceptual definition and subsequently presents its critique.