approximation

American  

[uh-prok-suh-mey-shuhn] / əˌprɒk səˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a guess or estimate.

   Ninety-three million miles is an approximation of the distance of the earth from the sun.

2. nearness in space, position, degree, or relation; proximity; closeness.

3. Mathematics, Physics. a result that is not necessarily exact, but is within the limits of accuracy required for a given purpose.

---

approximation British  

/ əˌprɒksɪˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. the process or result of making a rough calculation, estimate, or guess

   he based his conclusion on his own approximation of the fuel consumption

2. an imprecise or unreliable record or version

   an approximation of what really happened

3. maths an inexact number, relationship, or theory that is sufficiently accurate for a specific purpose

4. maths

   1. an estimate of the value of some quantity to a desired degree of accuracy

   2. an expression in simpler terms than a given expression which approximates to it

---

Other Word Forms

• approximative adjective

Etymology

Origin of approximation

1400–50; late Middle English approximacioun (< Middle French ) < Medieval Latin approximātiōn-, stem of approximātiō. See approximate, -ion

Example Sentences

In the Galacticoaster, for instance, riders will build a virtual approximation of a spaceship from a touchscreen, selecting options for wings, cannons and more.

From Los Angeles Times

In chip design, engineers can’t simulate the physics of the real world perfectly, so they rely on approximations of reality.

From The Wall Street Journal

Choi recognizes this caveat but said he thinks it is valuable to incorporate even a rough approximation of, say, future earnings rather than exclude them from financial planning.

From The Wall Street Journal

While the data does not specifically detail children per filer, it does show tax exemptions claimed, which is a pretty good approximation.

From MarketWatch

Using a publicly traded stock as a proxy for a privately held company provides only a rough approximation of the private firm’s worth.

From Barron's