Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Jump To:
  • dia-
    dia-
    a prefix occurring in loanwords from Greek (diabetes; dialect ) and used, in the formation of compound words, to mean “passing through” (diathermy ), “thoroughly,” “completely” (diagnosis ), “going apart” (dialysis ), and “opposed in moment” (diamagnetism ).
  • dia.
    dia.
    abbreviation
    diameter.
  • dia–
    dia–
    A prefix meaning “through” or “across,” as in diameter, the length of a line going through a circle.

dia-

1 American  
  1. a prefix occurring in loanwords from Greek (diabetes; dialect ) and used, in the formation of compound words, to mean “passing through” (diathermy ), “thoroughly,” “completely” (diagnosis ), “going apart” (dialysis ), and “opposed in moment” (diamagnetism ).


dia. 2 American  

abbreviation

  1. diameter.


dia- British  

prefix

  1. through, throughout, or during

    diachronic

  2. across

    diactinic

  3. apart

    diacritic

  4. (in botany) at right angles

    diatropism

  5. in opposite or different directions

    diamagnetism

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dia– Scientific  
  1. A prefix meaning “through” or “across,” as in diameter, the length of a line going through a circle.


Etymology

Origin of dia-

< Greek, combining form representing diá (preposition) through, between, across, by, of, akin to dýo two and di- di- 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Tyrone was getting frustrated with the roundabout dia- tribe.

From Terminal Compromise: computer terrorism: when privacy and freedom are the victims: a novel by Schwartau, Winn

Angele chandelier of hand-sculpted plaster, 32” dia. x 24” h.; to the trade from Dessin Fournir.

From Architectural Digest Jan. 7, 2015

Bunny Williams for Ballard Designs Tortoise blown-glass hurricane lamp, 16" h. x 6" dia.;

From Architectural Digest Dec. 1, 2014

RH Mercury Glass table lamp, 32.25" h. x 7.5" dia.;

From Architectural Digest Dec. 1, 2014

A Main Driving Pulley, 16 in. dia. x 4-1/4 in. face; 5-1/4 in. face for Two-beater Machine.

From Illustrated Catalogue of Cotton Machinery by Company, Howard & Bullough American Machine

O1 Barrow Gear Driving Pulley, 6 in. dia., 2-1/8 in. face.

From Illustrated Catalogue of Cotton Machinery by Company, Howard & Bullough American Machine

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training