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definitions

dimension

[dih-men-shuhn, dahy-]
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noun
  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. unit(def 6).
  4. magnitude; size: Matter has dimension.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. dimensions, Informal. the measurements of a woman's bust, waist, and hips, in that order: The chorus girl's dimensions were 38-24-36.
  8. dimension lumber.
verb (used with object)
  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).

Origin of dimension

1375–1425; late Middle English dimensioun (< Anglo-French) < 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
Related formsdi·men·sion·al, adjectivedi·men·sion·al·i·ty, noundi·men·sion·al·ly, adverbdi·men·sion·less, adjectivemul·ti·di·men·sion·al, adjectivenon·di·men·sioned, adjectiveun·di·men·sioned, adjective

Synonyms for dimension

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2b. range, extent, magnitude.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for dimension

extent, importance, proportion, range, thickness, element, length, magnitude, aspect, scope, height, quality, size, bulk, volume, capacity, mass, time

Examples from the Web for dimension

Contemporary Examples of dimension

Historical Examples of dimension

British Dictionary definitions for dimension

dimension

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; extenta problem of enormous dimensions
  3. aspecta 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 quantitythe 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
verb
  1. (tr) mainly US
    1. to shape or cut to specified dimensions
    2. to mark with specified dimensions
Derived Formsdimensional, adjectivedimensionality, noundimensionally, adverbdimensionless, adjective

Word Origin for dimension

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
dimension in Medicine

dimension

[dĭ-mĕn′shən, dī-]
n.
  1. A measure of spatial extent, especially width, height, or length.
  2. Scope or magnitude.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
dimension in Science

dimension

[dĭ-mĕn′shən]
    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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.