common denominator

noun

1. Mathematics. a number that is a multiple of all the denominators of a set of fractions.
2. a trait, characteristic, belief, or the like common to or shared by all members of a group:

   Dedication to the cause of freedom was the common denominator of the American revolutionaries.

common denominator

noun

1. an integer exactly divisible by each denominator of a group of fractions: 1 3 , 1 4 , and 1 6 have a common denominator of 12
2. a belief, attribute, etc, held in common by members of a class or group

common denominator

1. A quantity into which all the denominators of a set of fractions may be divided without a remainder. For example, the fractions 1 3 and 2 5 have a common denominator of 15.

common denominator

1. A number that will allow fractions with different denominators to be converted into fractions with the same denominator, so that these fractions can be added or subtracted. The fractions can be expressed as whole numbers divided by the common denominator. Thus, 12 is a common denominator for 1/3 and 1/4, since they can be written as 4/12 and 3/12, respectively. ( See lowest common denominator .)

Notes

Figuratively, a common denominator is a common factor in different events: “The common denominator in these crimes is the use of inside knowledge of computer systems.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of common denominator¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

A common denominator for many LGBTQ people throughout the world — in differing cultures and under divergent political systems — has been the oppression of hiding our secret love.

From Washington Blade

The common denominator for successful on-screen engagements is how consumers choose to interact with their environment.

From Digiday

The conversation ends up taking its direction, a pretty normal direction every time anyway, just because you’re the common denominator.

From Ozy

“The common denominator between all of them is that their governments have created a clarity about how they would regulate different digital assets, different cryptocurrencies,” he said.

From Fortune

The common denominator between them was the heavy use of sales language on pages meant to be staunchly informational.

From Search Engine Land

We kind of reduce things to the lowest common denominator, in some ways for good and in some ways not for good.

From The Daily Beast

The common denominator in the most violent protests against Western actions has been when Islam had been insulted.

From The Daily Beast

There is already a damning common denominator between the two shootings: the Cleveland police department itself.

From The Daily Beast

Lowest common denominator campaigning and dumb pandering in this country dates back to at least the presidential election of 1800.

From The Daily Beast

“Let others construct an unchallenging feminism that speaks only to the smallest common denominator,” she writes.

From The Daily Beast

Being a universal common denominator of all theories, it cancels out of all of them alike.

From Project Gutenberg

In a fortuitous assembly of such people the lowest common denominator of morality is easily adopted as the standard.

From Project Gutenberg

Impenetrable wilderness—reduced to a common denominator, thick woods.

From Project Gutenberg

She is a type, an abstraction, a common denominator of ‘creamy English girls.’

From Project Gutenberg

You cannot get a financial common denominator and apply it to armaments.

From Project Gutenberg