dimension

American  

[dih-men-shuhn, dahy-] / dɪˈmɛn ʃən, daɪ- /

noun

• dimensions
  plural

1. Mathematics.

   1. 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.

   2. the generalization of this property to spaces with curvilinear extension, as the surface of a sphere.

   3. the generalization of this property to vector spaces and to Hilbert space.

   4. the generalization of this property to fractals, which can have dimensions that are noninteger real numbers.

   5. extension in time.

      Space-time has three dimensions of space and one of time.

2. Usually dimensions.

   1. measurement in length, width, and thickness.

   2. scope; importance.

      the dimensions of a problem.

3. an aspect, feature, or angle: We haven't addressed that dimension of the issue.

   A study abroad experience can add a cultural dimension to your language learning.

   We haven't addressed that dimension of the issue.

4. unit.

5. magnitude; size.

   Matter has dimension.

6. Topology.

   1. 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.

   2. the number of elements in a finite basis of a given vector space.

7. 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].

8. Also called alternate dimension.  (in science fiction, fantasy, etc.) a hypothetical universe or world that is different from our known universe and reachable by traveling in directions that are not the perceptible axes of space and time, as with the use of futuristic technology or magic.

   Your enemies are villains, cultists, terrible monsters, and unfathomable entities from alternate dimensions or the cosmos beyond.

9. Informal. dimensions, the measurements of a woman's bust, waist, and hips, in that order.

   The dressmaker noted that the customer's dimensions were 38-24-36.

10. dimension lumber.

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verb (used with object)

• dimensions,
  present (3rd person singular)
• dimensioned,
  past participle,  past
• dimensioning
  present participle

1. to shape or fashion to the desired dimensions.

   Dimension the shelves so that they fit securely into the cabinet.

2. to indicate the dimensions of an item, area, etc., on (a sketch or drawing).

dimension British  

/ dɪˈmɛnʃən /

noun

1. (often plural) a measurement of the size of something in a particular direction, such as the length, width, height, or diameter

2. (often plural) scope; size; extent

   a problem of enormous dimensions

3. aspect

   a new dimension to politics

4. maths the number of coordinates required to locate a point in space

5. physics

   1. 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 quantity

      the dimensions of velocity are length divided by time

   2. the power to which such a fundamental quantity has to be raised in a derived quantity

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verb

1. (tr)

   1. to shape or cut to specified dimensions

   2. to mark with specified dimensions

dimension Scientific  

/ dĭ-mĕn′shən /

1. 1. 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.

   2. The measurement of a length, width, or thickness.

2. A unit, such as mass, time, or charge, associated with a physical quantity and used as the basis for other measurements, such as acceleration.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• dimensionality
  noun
• dimensional
  adjective
• dimensionless
  adjective
• multidimensional
  adjective
• nondimensioned
  adjective
• undimensioned
  adjective
• dimensionally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• dimensions
  plural

Participles

• dimensioning
  present
• dimensioned
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• dimension
  simple
• dimensions
  simple
• have dimensioned
  perfect
• has dimensioned
  perfect
• am dimensioning
  progressive
• are dimensioning
  progressive
• is dimensioning
  progressive
• have been dimensioning
  perfect progressive
• has been dimensioning
  perfect progressive

Past

• dimensioned
  simple
• had dimensioned
  perfect
• was dimensioning
  progressive
• were dimensioning
  progressive
• had been dimensioning
  perfect progressive

Future

• will dimension
  simple
• will have dimensioned
  perfect
• will be dimensioning
  progressive
• will have been dimensioning
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of dimension

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English dimensioun, from Anglo-French or directly from Latin dīmēnsiōn- (stem of dīmēnsiō ) “a measuring,” equivalent to dīmēns(us) “measured out” (past participle of dīmētīrī, equivalent to dī- di- ² + mētīrī “to measure”) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

A dimension is the measurement of something in physical space. You might give the painters every dimension of the rooms you want painted, including depth, height, and width. In addition to physical objects, dimension can describe something less tangible, such as the magnitude or extent of something. You might be shocked by the dimension of damage from the explosion down the street. Dimension can also be a feature of something, such as an experience, situation, flavor, or thing. Painting your bedroom purple will add a mystical dimension to your dwelling, especially if you add unicorn accents.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dimension dimensions dimensioned

In acreage terms, Germany’s wildfires are small, but they are getting worse—and the conflicts of the last century add an extra dimension of peril.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

“It’s creating another dimension of culture that nobody could have really anticipated,” says Relth-Miller.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

Beyond that, Beijing has ambitions to play a role in the Arctic’s future, lending a geopolitical dimension to the Chinese company’s shipping route.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

The new analysis adds another dimension by examining how density varies horizontally across latitude and longitude, revealing more of the thermosphere's geographic structure.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 12, 2026

Imagine a universe just like Flatland, except that unbeknownst to the inhabitants, their two-dimensional universe is curved through a third physical dimension.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Its findings may reveal more about the dimensions of America’s practice of executing the innocent and show that it is anything but a myth.

From Slate ● Aug. 13, 2026

As transistor components approach atomic dimensions, however, the interfaces separating different materials become increasingly important.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026

None of the eight met the required dimensions and mechanical strength, while some pins snapped off under force during tests.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

Given the limitation of personal screens, this only reveals the varying frame dimensions, but it’s pretty fun to flick through them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

“Well, I’ve had a lot of time to think about them. And dolphins too. And photography and poetry and archeology and parallel dimensions and all sorts of stuff.”

From "Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World" by Ashley Herring Blake

This has drastic consequences for the way in which flood protection must be dimensioned.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 10, 2023

U. S. Ambassador Woods called for tinned meat, condensed milk, flour, underclothing, galvanized iron, dimensioned timber to provide food and shelter for the refugees.

From Time Magazine Archive

An airshaft dimensioned like a coffin was built into the bedrooms.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Drawing a key from his pocket he took them into the small office, and showed them the spaciously dimensioned interior.

From A Pagan of the Hills by Charles Neville Buck

Many a good drawing has its appearance spoiled through being slovenly dimensioned.

From An Introduction to Machine Drawing and Design by David Allan Low

Related Words

• aspect
• element
• extent
• height
• importance
• length
• magnitude
• proportion
• quality
• range
• scope
• size
• thickness