factor

American  

[fak-ter] / ˈfæk tər /

noun

• factors
  plural

1. one of the elements contributing to a particular result or situation.

   Poverty is only one of the factors in crime.

2. Mathematics. one of two or more numbers, algebraic expressions, or the like, that when multiplied together produce a given product; a divisor.

   6 and 3 are factors of 18.

3. Biochemistry. any of certain substances necessary to a biochemical or physiological process, especially those whose exact nature and function are unknown.

4. a business organization that lends money on accounts receivable or buys and collects accounts receivable.

5. a person who acts or transacts business for another; an agent.

6. an agent entrusted with the possession of goods to be sold in the agent's name; a merchant earning a commission by selling goods belonging to others.

7. a person or business organization that provides money for another's new business venture; one who finances another's business.

8. factor of production.

9. Scot. the steward or bailiff of an estate.

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verb (used with object)

• factors,
  present (3rd person singular)
• factored,
  past participle,  past
• factoring
  present participle

1. Mathematics. to express (a mathematical quantity) as a product of two or more quantities of like kind, as 30 = 235, or x 2 − y 2 = (x +y ) (x − y ).

2. to act as a factor for.

verb (used without object)

• factors,
  present (3rd person singular)
• factored,
  past participle,  past
• factoring
  present participle

1. to act as a factor.

verb phrase

1. factor in / into to include as an essential element, especially in forecasting or planning.

   You must factor insurance payments into the cost of maintaining a car.

factor British  

/ ˈfæktə /

noun

1. an element or cause that contributes to a result

2. maths

   1. one of two or more integers or polynomials whose product is a given integer or polynomial

      2 and 3 are factors of 6

   2. an integer or polynomial that can be exactly divided into another integer or polynomial

      1, 2, 3, and 6 are all factors of 6

3. (foll by identifying numeral) med any of several substances that participate in the clotting of blood

   factor VIII

4. a person who acts on another's behalf, esp one who transacts business for another

5. commerce a business that makes loans in return for or on security of trade debts

6. former name for a gene

7. commercial law a person to whom goods are consigned for sale and who is paid a factorage

8. (in Scotland) the manager of an estate

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verb

1. (intr) to engage in the business of a factor

factor Scientific  

/ făk′tər /

1. One of two or more numbers or expressions that are multiplied to obtain a given product. For example, 2 and 3 are factors of 6, and a + b and a − b are factors of a ² − b ².

2. A substance found in the body, such as a protein, that is essential to a biological process. For example, growth factors are needed for proper cell growth and development.

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1. To find the factors of a number or expression. For example, the number 12 can be factored into 2 and 6, or 3 and 4, or 1 and 12.

Usage

Factor (sense 1) should only be used to refer to something which contributes to a result. It should not be used to refer to a part of something such as a plan or arrangement; instead a word such as component or element should be used

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• factorability
  noun
• factorship
  noun
• subfactor
  noun
• underfactor
  noun
• factorable
  adjective
• unfactorable
  adjective
• unfactored
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• factors
  plural

Participles

• factoring
  present
• factored
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• factor
  simple
• factors
  simple
• have factored
  perfect
• has factored
  perfect
• am factoring
  progressive
• are factoring
  progressive
• is factoring
  progressive
• have been factoring
  perfect progressive
• has been factoring
  perfect progressive

Past

• factored
  simple
• had factored
  perfect
• was factoring
  progressive
• were factoring
  progressive
• had been factoring
  perfect progressive

Future

• will factor
  simple
• will have factored
  perfect
• will be factoring
  progressive
• will have been factoring
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of factor

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English facto(u)r, from Latin factor “maker, perpetrator,” equivalent to fac(ere) “to make, do” + -tor agent noun suffix; see -tor

Explanation

A factor is a part or element that contributes to a result. If you only fly budget airlines and refuse to stay anywhere but youth hostels, then money is probably a big factor in your travel plans. The word factor doubles as both noun and verb. A factor is an element that influences something, like many factors that contribute to global warming. To factor means to consider something relevant when making a decision or conclusion, like factoring in the weather and traffic when figuring out how long the drive will be. And if it's not relevant? Then you factor it out.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

factor factors factored factoring

“If they go too far away from their core business model, what is their differentiating factor … to an Expedia? To a Kayak? To a Priceline?”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

The release of July consumer-price inflation figures could be an important factor in whether or not the Fed raises rates next month.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

Lynch is running again in the special election but is not expected to be a major factor.

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026

For Leboncoin's marketing director Sophie Bourg, heatwaves are now "firmly recognised as a structural factor in housing choices" in France.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

But if antisemitism contributed to William’s breakdowns, there was another factor at work, too.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

There are several factors which precipitated what many see as the downfall of Forest City.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

“While our updated outlook reflects ongoing macroeconomic pressures, these external factors do not change our strategic priorities or our confidence in the business,” Chief Executive Shane Smith said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

It said insured wildfire losses had risen by 8-11 percent per year in Europe since 1970 after adjusting for inflation and other factors.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

Economists at the asset-management giant were expecting “spring strength, followed by summer softness” because of factors like the World Cup hiring spree.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026

But he saw that other factors were exerting a countervailing force.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

That is, the option market is expecting a potentially volatile move after the earnings news and has factored this into the price of the contract.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026

These results were more overt when the analysts factored in class and status dynamics.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

Major athletics events frequently operate at a loss when costs including security, marshalling, appearance fees and broadcast infrastructure are factored in, particularly if there is no sponsor.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

He added: "In targeting a small minority of properties, the revenues these new bands would bring in won't touch the sides, and that's before the administrative costs are factored in."

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

“Once I checked the train timetables and factored in how long it would take to get to the airport, I knew I wouldn’t get a chance to eat otherwise,” she said before taking another bite.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

The skepticism also extended beyond data centers, factoring in previous economic development promises that never quite lived up.

From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026

Some shorten that to age 63, which is the last tax year before Medicare starts factoring your income into how much your annual premiums cost.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

Cooper says even many schools being built this decade are not factoring in heat.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

Figma charges on a per-seat basis, factoring in both the total head count and the tier of paid license required to access specific tools.

From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026

It took ten minutes for him to re-create the solution he’d figured out with Mr. Keeney, this time factoring in the actual spacing between the two rock pillars which had been missing until now.

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• aspect
• cause
• circumstance
• component
• consideration
• element
• influence
• ingredient
• part
• point
• thing