parameter

American  

[puh-ram-i-ter] / pəˈræm ɪ tər /

noun

1. Mathematics.

   1. a constant or variable term in a function that determines the specific form of the function but not its general nature, as a in f (x ) = ax, where a determines only the slope of the line described by f (x ).

   2. one of the independent variables in a set of parametric equations.

2. Statistics. a variable entering into the mathematical form of any distribution such that the possible values of the variable correspond to different distributions.

3. Computers. a variable that must be given a specific value during the execution of a program or of a procedure within a program.

4. Usually parameters. limits or boundaries; guidelines.

   the basic parameters of our foreign policy.

5. characteristic or factor; aspect; element.

   a useful parameter for judging long-term success.

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parameter British  

/ pəˈræmɪtə, ˌpærəˈmɛtrɪk /

noun

1. one of a number of auxiliary variables in terms of which all the variables in an implicit functional relationship can be explicitly expressed See parametric equations

2. a variable whose behaviour is not being considered and which may for present purposes be regarded as a constant, as y in the partial derivative ∂f( x,y )/∂ x

3. statistics a characteristic of the distribution of a population, such as its mean, as distinct from that of a sample Compare statistic

4. informal any constant or limiting factor

   a designer must work within the parameters of budget and practicality

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parameter Cultural  

1. A quantity or number on which some other quantity or number depends. An informal example is, “Depending on the traffic, it takes me between twenty minutes and an hour to drive to work”; here, “traffic” is the parameter that determines the time it takes to get to work. In statistics, a parameter is an unknown characteristic of a population — for example, the number of women in a particular precinct who will vote Democratic.

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Usage

Some object strongly to the use of parameter in these newer senses. Nevertheless, the criticized uses are now well established both in educated speech and in edited writing.

Discover More

The term is often mistakenly used to refer to the limits of possible values a variable can have because of confusion with the word perimeter.

Other Word Forms

• parametric adjective
• parametrical adjective

Etymology

Origin of parameter

From the New Latin word parametrum, dating back to 1650–60; para- ¹, -meter

Example Sentences

"We can change the biochemical composition, the thickness of the membrane, the tension and curvature, the size -- all kinds of parameters that we know have an influence on the embedded protein," Walz says.

From Science Daily

The two specials they’ve produced have stayed true to the parameters they set for themselves.

From Los Angeles Times

Both rotation velocity and luminosity are effective parameters to estimate the amount of gas accreted.

From Science Daily

“They may not set duration limits on how long tariffs can remain in place, but instead find other metrics or parameters for how to get the tariffs lifted.”

From Barron's

“They may not set duration limits on how long tariffs can remain in place, but instead find other metrics or parameters for how to get the tariffs lifted.”

From Barron's

Related Words

• criterion
• framework
• guideline
• restriction
• specification