diff --git a/packages/core/src/render3/definition.ts b/packages/core/src/render3/definition.ts
index 5b528ded1c..f090a13e9e 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/render3/definition.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/render3/definition.ts
@@ -352,6 +352,12 @@ export function ɵɵdefineComponent<T>(componentDefinition: {
 }
 
 /**
+ * Generated next to NgModules to monkey-patch directive and pipe references onto a component's
+ * definition, when generating a direct reference in the component file would otherwise create an
+ * import cycle.
+ *
+ * See [this explanation](https://hackmd.io/Odw80D0pR6yfsOjg_7XCJg?view) for more details.
+ *
  * @codeGenApi
  */
 export function ɵɵsetComponentScope(