dimension
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.
an aspect, feature, or angle: A study abroad experience can add a cultural dimension to your language learning.We haven't addressed that dimension of the issue.
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.
Also called al·ter·nate di·men·sion [awl-ter-nit di-men-shuhn, dahy-] /ˈɔl tər nɪt dɪˈmɛn ʃən, daɪ-/ . (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.: Compare parallel universe (def. 3).
dimensions, Informal. 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.
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).
Origin of dimension
1Other words for dimension
Other words from dimension
- di·men·sion·al, adjective
- di·men·sion·al·i·ty [dih-men-shuh-nal-i-tee, dahy-], /dɪˌmɛn ʃəˈnæl ɪ ti, daɪ-/, noun
- di·men·sion·al·ly, adverb
- di·men·sion·less, adjective
- mul·ti·di·men·sion·al, adjective
- non·di·men·sioned, adjective
- un·di·men·sioned, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use dimension in a sentence
Check out which of the top shelf choices below to add joy and dimension to your home.
Floating shelves to display your favorite goods | PopSci Commerce Team | October 29, 2020 | Popular-ScienceWith this update, Report Editor is set up more like Data Studio with the dimension and metrics panel on the right.
The trick is to include at least one contrasting texture from each of these categories to give your dish dimension.
There’s a science to food pairing, and you can learn it here | Peter Coucquyt, Bernard Lahousse, and Johan Langenbick | October 22, 2020 | Popular-ScienceThese disparities across multiple dimensions compound and make it particularly challenging for folks who find themselves on the losing end of multiple dimensions.
‘A tale of two Americas’: How the pandemic is widening the financial health gap | McKenna Moore | October 13, 2020 | FortuneIt has an effective 33-foot cleaning radius that makes it great for cleaning everything from staircases to garages, and since it’s less than two feet across on its largest dimension, it’s surprisingly easy to pack away or take with you.
Vacuums that are good enough to give as presents | PopSci Commerce Team | October 1, 2020 | Popular-Science
The danger of the 300 series is that it denies the same dimensionality to Greek antiquity.
‘300’ Is a Misleading, Muscle-Bound Travesty of Ancient History | James Romm | March 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOne-dimensionality is the key to myth; mythic characters are strangers whom, when we encounter them, we feel we have always known.
Yet the conception of dimensionality itself is purely conventional.
The Mystery of Space | Robert T. BrowneThe question of dimensionality is solely a concern of the objective or brain-mind which is the intellect.
The Mystery of Space | Robert T. BrowneAs a perisophism or near-truth, then, n-dimensionality takes foremost rank.
The Mystery of Space | Robert T. BrowneSexuality is of concern in the civilization of illiteracy insofar as the human being in its multi-dimensionality is of concern.
The Civilization of Illiteracy | Mihai NadinBut this view is objected to by the advocates, for it is contrary to the hypothesis of n-dimensionality.
The Mystery of Space | Robert T. Browne
British Dictionary definitions for dimension
/ (dɪˈmɛnʃən) /
(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; extent: a problem of enormous dimensions
aspect: a 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 quantity: the dimensions of velocity are length divided by time
the power to which such a fundamental quantity has to be raised in a derived quantity
(tr) mainly US
to shape or cut to specified dimensions
to mark with specified dimensions
Origin of dimension
1Derived forms of dimension
- dimensional, adjective
- dimensionality, noun
- dimensionally, adverb
- dimensionless, adjective
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
Scientific definitions for 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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