diameter

[dahy-am-i-ter]

noun

1. Geometry.

   1. a straight line passing through the center of a circle or sphere and meeting the circumference or surface at each end.

   2. a straight line passing from side to side of any figure or body, through its center.

2. the length of such a line.

3. the width of a circular or cylindrical object.

diameter

/ daɪˈæmɪtə /

noun

1. 1. a straight line connecting the centre of a geometric figure, esp a circle or sphere, with two points on the perimeter or surface

   2. the length of such a line

2. the thickness of something, esp with circular cross section

diameter

1. A straight line segment that passes through the center of a circle or sphere from one side to the other.

2. The length of such a line segment.

diameter

1. A straight line passing through the center of a figure, especially a circle or sphere, and joining two opposite points on its circumference.

Word History and Origins

Origin of diameter¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English diametre, from Old French, from Latin diametros, from Greek diámetros “diagonal, diameter,” from dia- dia- + -metros, derivative of métron meter ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of diameter¹

C14: from Medieval Latin diametrus, variant of Latin diametros, from Greek: diameter, diagonal, from _dia- + metron measure

Example Sentences

The massive pits at Durrington Walls in Wiltshire are set at regular intervals, ten metres in diameter and more than five metres deep.

Read more on BBC

However, while adult Great Whites have vertebrae about 8 cm wide, the vertebrae from the Darwin shark exceed 12 cm in diameter.

Read more on Science Daily

Previous work suggested a diameter of about 30 meters and a rotation period closer to ten minutes.

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It is also larger than previous models, measuring eight millimeters in diameter and four millimeters in thickness.

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The 87-foot diameter spherical screen wraps above, below and behind us, but an emphasis on couch seating invites a cooperative environment.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• width