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. 2023
How to use dimension in a sentence
Evaluating fairness began with looking at a single dimension — like race or gender or ethnicity.
Tips for applying an intersectional framework to AI development | Walter Thompson | December 18, 2020 | TechCrunchIn 2003 she devised a formula for counting the number of different cells found in positive Grassmannians of any dimension.
A Mathematician’s Unanticipated Journey Through the Physical World | Kevin Hartnett | December 16, 2020 | Quanta MagazineSome classes of board games take this effect to new heights by allowing players to create teams and collaborate with one another, which can add a significant new dimension to long-term strategies.
Best board games: Five things to consider | PopSci Commerce Team | December 10, 2020 | Popular-ScienceYet we deprive ourselves of connecting with humanity’s past by focusing on materials stripped of their sensory dimensions.
What Did the Past Smell Like? - Issue 93: Forerunners | Ann-Sophie Barwich | December 9, 2020 | NautilusDemmer said the cases provide some of the first real-world evidence to support early theories about the importance of how people breathe, ventilation, and the social dimensions of transmission.
Youth sports have been hit with few coronavirus outbreaks so far. Why is ice hockey so different? | Ariana Eunjung Cha, Karin Brulliard | December 4, 2020 | Washington Post
The “hands-on” laboratory allows visitors to use some of the technology, including being three-dimensionally scanned and printed.
Art Goes High-Tech at These Four Innovative Exhibits | Justin Jones | May 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThere, visitors can be three-dimensionally scanned to create unique pieces for purchase.
Movement certain found its way into each sculptural dress, many of which sprouted, three-dimensionally into the room.
That Tree was only Thag's outline, sketched three-dimensionally upon the twilight.
The Tree of Life | Catherine Lucille MooreDimensionally I found that the palace had a beginning but no end.
Your United States | Arnold Bennett
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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