cubic

[kyoo-bik]

adjective

1. having three dimensions; solid.

2. having the form of a cube; cubical.

3. pertaining to the measurement of volume.

   the cubic contents of a vessel.

4. pertaining to a unit of linear measure that is multiplied by itself twice to form a unit of measure for volume.

   cubic foot; cubic centimeter; cubic inch; cubic meter.

5. Mathematics.,  of or relating to the third degree.

6. Crystallography.,  belonging or pertaining to the isometric system of crystallization.

noun

1. Mathematics.,  a cubic polynomial or equation.

cubic

/ ˈkjuːbɪk /

adjective

1. having the shape of a cube

2. 1. having three dimensions

   2. Abbreviation: cu..  c. denoting or relating to a linear measure that is raised to the third power

      a cubic metre

3. maths of, relating to, or containing a variable to the third power or a term in which the sum of the exponents of the variables is three

4. Also: isometric.  regular. crystallog relating to or belonging to the crystal system characterized by three equal perpendicular axes. The unit cell of cubic crystals is a cube with a lattice point at each corner ( simple cubic ) and one in the cube's centre ( body-centred cubic ), or a lattice point at each corner and one at the centre of each face ( face-centred cubic )

noun

1. maths

   1. a cubic equation, such as x ³ + x + 2 = 0

   2. a cubic term or expression

cubic

1. Referring to a volume unit of measurement.

2. Involving a number or a variable that has been raised to the third power.

3. Relating to a crystal having three axes of equal length intersecting at right angles. The mineral pyrite has cubic crystals.

4. Also called isometric

5. See illustration at crystal

Other Word Forms

• cubicity noun
• subcubic adjective
• uncubic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cubic¹

1490–1500; earlier cubik < Latin cubicus < Greek kybikós. See cube ¹, -ic

Example Sentences

Call it the parade’s final magic trick: making hundreds of thousands of cubic feet of helium, dozens of floats, and throngs of fans vanish.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The work to erect the two tallest towers in Beverly Hills started Friday with an overnight continuous pour of 3,800 cubic yards of concrete, the equivalent of 41,000 wheelbarrows-full.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“We have trillions and trillions of cubic feet of natural gas waiting for use,” Ruaro said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

With a roomy 18 cubic feet, it holds far more than you’d expect and stays easy to organize thanks to generous shelving and a bright LED light.

Read more on Salon

New York produces almost no natural gas, yet it consumes over 1,200 billion cubic feet annually.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• cuboid 
• cuboidal www.thesaurus.com