density

American  

[den-si-tee] / ˈdɛn sɪ ti /

noun

plural

densities

1. the state or quality of being dense; compactness; closely set or crowded condition.

2. stupidity; slow-wittedness; obtuseness.

3. the number of inhabitants, dwellings, or the like, per unit area.

   The commissioner noted that the population density of certain city blocks had fallen dramatically.

4. Physics. mass per unit volume.

5. Electricity.

   1. the quantity of electricity per unit of volume at a point in space, or the quantity per unit of area at a point on a surface.

   2. current density.

6. the degree of opacity of a substance, medium, etc., that transmits light.

7. Photography. the relative degree of opacity of an area of a negative or transparency, often expressed logarithmically.

8. Computers. a measure of the compactness of data saved on a storage medium, as disk or tape, or displayed on an electronic screen.

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density British  

/ ˈdɛnsɪtɪ /

noun

1. the degree to which something is filled, crowded, or occupied

   high density of building in towns

2. obtuseness; stupidity

3.  ρ.  a measure of the compactness of a substance, expressed as its mass per unit volume. It is measured in kilograms per cubic metre or pounds per cubic foot See also relative density

4. a measure of a physical quantity per unit of length, area, or volume See charge density current density

5. physics photog See transmission density reflection density

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density Scientific  

/ dĕn′sĭ-tē /

1. A measure of the quantity of some physical property (usually mass) per unit length, area, or volume (usually volume).

2. ◆ Mass density is a measure of the mass of a substance per unit volume. Most substances (especially gases such as air) increase in density as their pressure is increases or as their temperature decreases.

3. ◆ Energy density is a measure of the amount of energy (often in the form of electromagnetic radiation) per unit volume in a region of space or some material.

4. See also Boyle's law

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density Cultural  

1. The relative heaviness of objects, measured in units of mass or weight per units of volume. (See specific gravity.)

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Other Word Forms

• nondensity noun
• superdensity noun

Etymology

Origin of density

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin dēnsitās, equivalent to dēns(us) dense + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

In this state, the plasma remains stable even when its density rises far beyond traditional limits.

From Science Daily

Using well validated risk models, researchers grouped participants into four categories by considering age, genetic information, lifestyle factors, health history, and breast density.

From Science Daily

“Our focus is really on improving areal density.”

From Barron's

The study states: "Given its exceptional size, density of occupation and architectural complexity, Brusselstown Ring represents a unique case within both the Baltinglass hillfort cluster and more widely within the Atlantic Archipelago."

From BBC

A trainer is an advocate for your health, helping to reshape your body — and by extension, your life — whether the goal is strength-building, weight loss, bone density, flexibility, better balance or cardiovascular stamina.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• frequency
• quantity
• thickness