dimension
[dih-men-shuhn, dahy-]
- Mathematics.
- a property of space; extension in a given direction: A straight line has one dimension, a parallelogram has two dimensions, and a parallelepiped has three dimensions.
- the generalization of this property to spaces with curvilinear extension, as the surface of a sphere.
- the generalization of this property to vector spaces and to Hilbert space.
- the generalization of this property to fractals, which can have dimensions that are noninteger real numbers.
- extension in time: Space-time has three dimensions of space and one of time.
- Usually dimensions.
- measurement in length, width, and thickness.
- scope; importance: the dimensions of a problem.
- unit(def 6).
- magnitude; size: Matter has dimension.
- Topology.
- a magnitude that, independently or in conjunction with other such magnitudes, serves to define the location of an element within a given set, as of a point on a line, an object in a space, or an event in space-time.
- the number of elements in a finite basis of a given vector space.
- Physics. any of a set of basic kinds of quantity, as mass, length, and time, in terms of which all other kinds of quantity can be expressed; usually denoted by capital letters, with appropriate exponents, placed in brackets: The dimensions of velocity are [LT−1].Compare dimensional analysis.
- dimensions, Informal. the measurements of a woman's bust, waist, and hips, in that order: The chorus girl's dimensions were 38-24-36.
- dimension lumber.
Show More
- to shape or fashion to the desired dimensions: Dimension the shelves so that they fit securely into the cabinet.
- to indicate the dimensions of an item, area, etc., on (a sketch or drawing).
Show More
Origin of dimension
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
extentimportanceproportionrangethicknesselementlengthmagnitudeaspectscopeheightqualitysizebulkvolumecapacitymasstimeExamples from the Web for dimension
Contemporary Examples
Trippy, echoing sound effects give “A Brain In A Bottle” a sense of fullness and dimension—as they do for “Guess Again!”
The premise involved a detective whose ability to stand on one leg allowed him entry into a bizarre second dimension.
Doomed Passion Projects of Hollywood: The Lost Classics of Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock, and MoreMarlow Stern
March 28, 2014
He also explains that from a higher mathematical vantage point, our dimension would seem less dimensional.
‘True Detective’ Episode 5 Review: ‘The Secret Fate of All Life’ is the Best Episode YetAndrew Romano
February 17, 2014
But my lack of care has the dimension of a confession because I feel bad about not caring.
Alcohol abuse is a much bigger problem than cannabis abuse—in every dimension.
Historical Examples
The earth's interior, Dr. Shapley said, is the "third dimension" of geography.
This, of course, is beyond your comprehension, since the Ninth Dimension is involved.
The mysteries of the Fourth Dimension they had already solved.
Detective, Fourth Dimension, and air adventure—only well done.
And Luga, was she lost to him in that no-man's land of a fourth dimension?
MelomaniacsJames Huneker
dimension
- (often plural) a measurement of the size of something in a particular direction, such as the length, width, height, or diameter
- (often plural) scope; size; extenta problem of enormous dimensions
- aspecta new dimension to politics
- maths the number of coordinates required to locate a point in space
- physics
- the product or the quotient of the fundamental physical quantities (such as mass, length, or time) raised to the appropriate power in a derived physical quantitythe dimensions of velocity are length divided by time
- the power to which such a fundamental quantity has to be raised in a derived quantity
Show More
- (tr) mainly US
- to shape or cut to specified dimensions
- to mark with specified dimensions
Show More
Word Origin
C14: from Old French, from Latin dīmensiō an extent, from dīmētīrī to measure out, from mētīrī
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
Word Origin and History for dimension
n.
late 14c., "measurement, size," from Latin dimensionem (nominative dimensio) "a measuring," noun of action from past participle stem of dimetri "to measure out," from dis- (see dis-) + metiri "to measure" (see measure). Meaning "any component of a situation" is from 1929. Related: Dimensional; dimensions.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
dimension
(dĭ-mĕn′shən, dī-)- A measure of spatial extent, especially width, height, or length.
- Scope or magnitude.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
dimension
[dĭ-mĕn′shən]
- Any one of the three physical or spatial properties of length, area, and volume. In geometry, a point is said to have zero dimension; a figure having only length, such as a line, has one dimension; a plane or surface, two dimensions; and a figure having volume, three dimensions. The fourth dimension is often said to be time, as in the theory of General Relativity. Higher dimensions can be dealt with mathematically but cannot be represented visually.
- The measurement of a length, width, or thickness.
- A unit, such as mass, time, or charge, associated with a physical quantity and used as the basis for other measurements, such as acceleration.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.