density

[ den-si-tee ]

noun

, plural den·si·ties.

1. the state or quality of being dense; compactness; closely set or crowded condition.
2. stupidity; slow-wittedness; obtuseness.
3. 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.

4. Physics. mass per unit volume.
5. Electricity.
   1. 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.
   2. current density.
6. the degree of opacity of a substance, medium, etc., that transmits light.
7. Photography. the relative degree of opacity of an area of a negative or transparency, often expressed logarithmically.
8. Computers. a measure of the compactness of data saved on a storage medium, as disk or tape, or displayed on an electronic screen.

density

/ ˈdɛnsɪtɪ /

noun

1. the degree to which something is filled, crowded, or occupied

   high density of building in towns

2. obtuseness; stupidity
3. See relative density
   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 foot ρ See also relative density
4. See current density, charge density
   a measure of a physical quantity per unit of length, area, or volume See charge density current density
5. See reflection density, transmission density
   physics photog See transmission density reflection density

density

/ dĕn′sĭ-tē /

1. A measure of the quantity of some physical property (usually mass) per unit length, area, or volume (usually volume).
2. ◆ 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.
3. ◆ 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.
4. See also Boyle's law

density

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

Other Words From

• non·densi·ty noun
• super·densi·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of density¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin dēnsitās, equivalent to dēns(us) dense + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

The employment picture improves somewhat, though a smaller density of the population would be working.

From Washington Post

For Reed Hastings, talent density is the key first step to being able to let go of traditional rule structures.

From 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.

From Fortune

Reliance on transit rather than cars bolsters the city’s economic vibrancy by increasing density and, in turn, labor and capital productivity.

From 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.

From Science News

Not long after I was finally diagnosed, my doctor ordered a bone density scan.

From The Daily Beast

Later studies showed that only gaining weight and the return of natural menstruation help improve bone density.

From The Daily Beast

This leaves people with a history of anorexia and reduced bone density like me at high risk for fractures.

From The Daily Beast

But he's immersing himself, creating the density of felt detail from which fine performances emerge.

From The Daily Beast

I always thought there was a bone density test or something to be able to get in.

From The Daily Beast

Density of population refers to the average number of people per square mile in a state.

From Project Gutenberg

Density is found by dividing the total population of a state by the total land area of the state.

From Project Gutenberg

Every moment the mob increased in density, and with difficulty the coaches wormed their way through the tumultuous gatherings.

From Project Gutenberg

These organisms are light and delicate, their density of body very slight, their weight slighter still.

From Project Gutenberg

The rock here being of various degrees of density, the waters had essayed a thousand channels.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• frequency
• quantity
• thickness