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
There is a strong social dimension to criticism which, from the outside, may look indistinguishable from herd thinking.
Transformed by crisis, arts criticism may never be the same. And that’s a good thing. | Philip Kennicott | November 29, 2020 | Washington PostThey “serve primarily to draw attention to the dimension of the problem,” says Pablo Ortellado, a professor of public policy management at the University of São Paulo.
The apps keeping Rio’s residents safe from stray bullets | Niall Firth | November 26, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewThe balloons’ dimensions vary, but most are about four to six stories high and weigh about 200 pounds before inflation.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has one star that always rises to the top | Erik Olsen | November 25, 2020 | Popular-ScienceShe has worked very hard on that, and it is giving her even an added dimension to her game.
How These WNBA Prospects Can Improve Their Draft Stock | Howard Megdal | November 24, 2020 | FiveThirtyEightSimilarly, companies in sectors with traditionally complex and long production processes, such as pharmaceuticals and chemicals, generally earn higher scores in the manufacturing dimension of the framework.
Theirs is a sort of Nirvana, a timeless, dimensionless existence.
Hunters Out of Space | Joseph Everidge KelleamThe screen turned featureless gray as the pickups stared blindly into some dimensionless noplace.
Space Viking | Henry Beam PiperThey felt no need of food or water, but clung together in a dimensionless universe, held up by love.
Astounding Stories, April, 1931 | VariousThese glimpses of the past, by some dimensionless link, also afforded me a glimpse of the future.
Autobiography of a YOGI | Paramhansa YoganandaYou will bind them to yours and shape the whole into a dimensionless sphere of pure controlled, dirigible energy.
Masters of Space | Edward Elmer Smith
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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