dimension[də men′s̸hən; also dī-]
- Dimension is defined as scope or a measurable portion of space that extends in a certain direction.
- An example of dimension is a problem of great magnitude.
- An example of dimension is width.
- The definition of dimension is to shape or show the desired size.
An example of dimension is to create a scale model.
- any measurable extent, as length, width, depth, etc.
- measurements in length and width, and often depth
- extent, size, or degree
- scope or importance
- the nature and relationship of the units entering into some physical quantity: the dimension for speed is length divided by time
- Obsolete bodily form
- Math. a number, usually an integer, representing the geometric dimensions of some physical or abstract system
Origin of dimensionMiddle English dimensioun ; from Classical Latin dimensio, a measuring ; from dimensus, past participle of dimetiri, to measure off ; from dis-, off, from + metiri, to measure
- A measure of spatial extent, especially width, height, or length.
- often dimensions Extent or magnitude; scope: a problem of alarming dimensions.
- Aspect; element: “He's a good newsman, and he has that extra dimension” (William S. Paley).
- Mathematics a. The least number of independent coordinates required to specify uniquely the points in a space.b. The range of such a coordinate.
- Physics A physical property, such as mass, length, time, or a combination thereof, regarded as a fundamental measure or as one of a set of fundamental measures of a physical quantity: Velocity has the dimensions of length divided by time.
transitive verbdi·men·sioned, di·men·sion·ing, di·men·sions
- To cut or shape to specified dimensions.
- To mark with specified dimensions.
Origin of dimensionMiddle English dimensioun, from Latin dīmēnsiō, dīmēnsiōn-, extent, from dīmēnsus, past participle of dīmētīrī, to measure out : dī-, dis-, dis- + mētīrī, to measure; see mē-2 in Indo-European roots.
- A single aspect of a given thing.
- A measure of spatial extent in a particular direction, such as height, width or breadth, or depth.
- A construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished.
- (geometry) The number of independent coordinates needed to specify uniquely the location of a point in a space; also, any of such independent coordinates.
- (linear algebra) The number of elements of any basis of a vector space.
- (physics) One of the physical properties that are regarded as fundamental measures of a physical quantity, such as mass, length and time.
- The dimension of velocity is length divided by time.
- (computing) Any of the independent ranges of indices in a multidimensional array.
- (science fiction, fantasy) An alternative universe or plane of existence.
(third-person singular simple present dimensions, present participle dimensioning, simple past and past participle dimensioned)
From Latin dīmensio, dīmensiōnis.