factor

[ fak-ter ]

/ ˈfæk tər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR factor ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

one of the elements contributing to a particular result or situation: Poverty is only one of the factors in crime.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

factor of production.

Scot. the steward or bailiff of an estate.

verb (used with object)

Mathematics. to express (a mathematical quantity) as a product of two or more quantities of like kind, as 30 = 2·3·5, or x2 − y2 = (x + y) (x − y).Compare expand(def 4a).

to act as a factor for.

verb (used without object)

to act as a factor.

Verb Phrases

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.

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?

Question 1 of 10

earnest

full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.

a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.

urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of factor

1400–50; late Middle English facto(u)r < Latin factor maker, perpetrator, equivalent to fac(ere) to make, do + -tor -tor

OTHER WORDS FROM factor

fac·tor·a·ble, adjectivefac·tor·a·bil·i·ty, nounfac·tor·ship, nounsub·fac·tor, noun

un·der·fac·tor, nounun·fac·tor·a·ble, adjectiveun·fac·tored, adjective

Words nearby factor

factitious, factitious disorder, factitive, factive, factoid, factor, factor analysis, factor cost, factor group, factor i, factor ii

Definition for factor (2 of 3)

factor VIII

noun

antihemophilic factor.

Origin of factor VIII

First recorded in 1960–65

Definition for factor (3 of 3)

factor IX

noun

Christmas factor.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for factor

Therefore in our view we need to talk about our wood management before any other factor in the maturation of The Macallan.
Why Natural Color Is So Crucial To Understanding A Whisky’s Flavors||December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But hold on: Factor in the runoffs, and things get weird real fast.
How This Election Could Go to January|Michael Tomasky|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The ability to do that, more than anything else, may just be the true “Francis factor.”
Pope Francis Wins a Battle to Welcome Gays in the Church|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After plane loads of wheat seeds were sent to India in the 1960s, farmers there were able to boost production by a factor of four.
Growth Stocks|The Daily Beast|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

All of these may factor into the inability to move the needle on the scale.
‘The Biggest Loser’ Could Be TV’s Most Important Show Ever|Daniela Drake|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But in some soils its presence may add considerably to the weight of a crop of hay, of which it is a factor.
Clovers and How to Grow Them|Thomas Shaw
It has been noted already that feeling enters largely as a factor in our conscious life.
Ontario Normal School Manuals: Science of Education|Ontario Ministry of Education
The gradual weakening or loss of elastic force of the hairspring is also a factor to be considered.
Rules and Practice for Adjusting Watches|Walter J. Kleinlein
If the rudimentary kinless groups do indeed constitute a factor in human evolution, they are a most important factor.
Folklore as an Historical Science|George Laurence Gomme
(p. 097) By the assistance of his uncle he became soon after the factor of a rich trading widow in his native city.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 3 of 8|Various

British Dictionary definitions for factor (1 of 2)

factor

/ (ˈfæktə) /

noun

an element or cause that contributes to a result

maths

one of two or more integers or polynomials whose product is a given integer or polynomial2 and 3 are factors of 6
an integer or polynomial that can be exactly divided into another integer or polynomial1, 2, 3, and 6 are all factors of 6

(foll by identifying numeral) med any of several substances that participate in the clotting of bloodfactor VIII

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

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

former name for a gene

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

(in Scotland) the manager of an estate

verb

(intr) to engage in the business of a factor

Derived forms of factor

factorable, adjectivefactorability, nounfactorship, noun

Word Origin for factor

C15: from Latin: one who acts, from facere to do

usage for factor

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

British Dictionary definitions for factor (2 of 2)

factor VIII

noun

a protein that participates in the clotting of blood. It is extracted from donated serum and used in the treatment of the commonest type of haemophilia, in which it is absent

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

Medical definitions for factor (1 of 3)

factor

[ făk′tər ]

n.

One that contributes in the cause of an action.

A mathematical component that by multiplication makes up a number or expression.

A gene.

A substance, such as a vitamin, that functions in a specific biochemical reaction or bodily process, such as blood coagulation.

Medical definitions for factor (2 of 3)

factor VIII

n.

A factor in the clotting of blood, a deficiency of which is associated with hemophilia A.antihemophilic factor antihemophilic globulin antihemophilic globulin A proserum prothrombin conversion accelerator

Medical definitions for factor (3 of 3)

factor IX

n.

A factor in the clotting of blood necessary for the formation of intrinsic blood thromboplastin; a deficiency of it causes hemophilia B.antihemophilic globulin B Christmas factor

Scientific definitions for factor

factor

[ făk′tər ]

Noun

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 a2 - b2.

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.

Verb

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.

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