denominator

[dih-nom-uh-ney-ter]

noun

1. Arithmetic.,  that term of a fraction, usually written under the line, that indicates the number of equal parts into which the unit is divided; divisor.

2. something shared or held in common; standard.

3. Archaic.,  a person or thing that denominates.

denominator

/ dɪˈnɒmɪˌneɪtə /

noun

1. the divisor of a fraction, as 8 in 7/ 8 Compare numerator

2. archaic,  a person or thing that denominates or designates

denominator

1. The number below or to the right of the line in a fraction, indicating the number of equal parts into which one whole is divided. For example, in the fraction 2/7, 7 is the denominator.

denominator

1. In mathematics, the number that appears on the bottom of a fraction. In the fraction 2/3, the denominator is 3. (Compare numerator.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of denominator¹

1535–45; < Medieval Latin dēnōminātor, equivalent to Latin dēnōminā ( re ) ( denominate ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Some on Wall Street have cited a common denominator driving trading in bitcoin and some stocks, most notably speculative plays like those focused on quantum computing.

Read more on MarketWatch

New York is projected throughout the show, but the GPS coordinates are more precisely those of an American musical that has lost its way trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Note that the plunging ratio tells us nothing about the U.S. economy, since the economy affects both the numerator and the denominator of the ratio and therefore has no net effect on its level.

Read more on MarketWatch

The difficulties grow even more pronounced when discussing those highly visible sculptures that are usually committee-approved, intentionally uncontroversial and frequently appeal to the lowest common denominator: art in public.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They have no minimum requirements and little common denominator except excluding coal and tobacco producers.

Read more on Barron's

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