density

[ den-si-tee ]

/ ˈdɛn sɪ ti /

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See synonyms for density on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural den·si·ties.

the state or quality of being dense; compactness; closely set or crowded condition.

stupidity; slow-wittedness; obtuseness.

the number of inhabitants, dwellings, or the like, per unit area: The commissioner noted that the population density of certain city blocks had fallen dramatically.

Physics. mass per unit volume.

Electricity.

the quantity of electricity per unit of volume at a point in space, or the quantity per unit of area at a point on a surface.
current density.

the degree of opacity of a substance, medium, etc., that transmits light.

Photography. the relative degree of opacity of an area of a negative or transparency, often expressed logarithmically.

Computers. a measure of the compactness of data saved on a storage medium, as disk or tape, or displayed on an electronic screen.

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Origin of density

1595–1605; <Latin dēnsitās, equivalent to dēns(us) dense + -itās-ity

OTHER WORDS FROM density

non·den·si·ty, nounsu·per·den·si·ty, noun

Words nearby density

dense, densify, densimeter, dens in dente, densitometer, density, density function, dent, dental, dental abscess, dental anatomy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use density in a sentence

The employment picture improves somewhat, though a smaller density of the population would be working.
An only-red-states America probably isn’t one Trump would actually like|Philip Bump|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
For Reed Hastings, talent density is the key first step to being able to let go of traditional rule structures.
What if Your Company Had No Rules? (Bonus Episode)|Maria Konnikova|September 12, 2020|Freakonomics
That spells opportunity for Airbnb, which features plenty of unique, rural home rentals on its platform—particularly in markets that don’t have enough density to be served by large hotels.
Airbnb CEO: The pandemic will force us to see more of the world, not less|Verne Kopytoff|September 7, 2020|Fortune
Reliance on transit rather than cars bolsters the city’s economic vibrancy by increasing density and, in turn, labor and capital productivity.
New York City transit needs a $12 billion bailout—or the entire U.S. economic recovery may suffer|dzanemorris|September 3, 2020|Fortune

Looming humans, bright lights and higher density tanks may have shifted the behavior of a species that spends most of its time alone and under the radar.
Flamboyant cuttlefish save their bright patterns for flirting, fighting and fleeing|Helen Thompson|September 1, 2020|Science News
Not long after I was finally diagnosed, my doctor ordered a bone density scan.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Later studies showed that only gaining weight and the return of natural menstruation help improve bone density.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This leaves people with a history of anorexia and reduced bone density like me at high risk for fractures.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But he's immersing himself, creating the density of felt detail from which fine performances emerge.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I always thought there was a bone density test or something to be able to get in.
Jon Stewart Talks ‘Rosewater’ and the ‘Chickensh-t’ Democrats’ Midterm Massacre|Marlow Stern|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Density of population refers to the average number of people per square mile in a state.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
Density is found by dividing the total population of a state by the total land area of the state.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
Every moment the mob increased in density, and with difficulty the coaches wormed their way through the tumultuous gatherings.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
These organisms are light and delicate, their density of body very slight, their weight slighter still.
Urania|Camille Flammarion
The rock here being of various degrees of density, the waters had essayed a thousand channels.
Overland|John William De Forest

British Dictionary definitions for density

density

/ (ˈdɛnsɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the degree to which something is filled, crowded, or occupiedhigh density of building in towns

obtuseness; stupidity

a measure of the compactness of a substance, expressed as its mass per unit volume. It is measured in kilograms per cubic metre or pounds per cubic footSymbol: ρ See also relative density

a measure of a physical quantity per unit of length, area, or volumeSee charge density, current density

physics photog See transmission density, reflection density

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

Medical definitions for density

density

[ dĕn′sĭ-tē ]

n.

The mass per unit volume of a substance at a specified pressure and temperature.

The quantity of something per unit measure, especially per unit length, area, or volume.

Scientific definitions for density

density

[ dĕn′sĭ-tē ]

A measure of the quantity of some physical property (usually mass) per unit length, area, or volume (usually volume).♦ Mass density is a measure of the mass of a substance per unit volume. Most substances (especially gases such as air) increase in density as their pressure is increases or as their temperature decreases.♦ Energy density is a measure of the amount of energy (often in the form of electromagnetic radiation) per unit volume in a region of space or some material. See also Boyle's law.

Cultural definitions for density

density

The relative heaviness of objects, measured in units of mass or weight per units of volume. (See specific gravity.)

density

noun, plural den·si·ties.

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Origin of density

OTHER WORDS FROM density

Words nearby density

Words related to density

How to use density in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for density

noun plural -ties

Medical definitions for density

n.

Scientific definitions for density

Cultural definitions for density