factor

[ fak-ter ]

/ ˈfæk tər /

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See synonyms for: factor / factored / factoring / factors 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.

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

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 disorder, factitive, factive, fact of life, factoid, factor, factorage, factor analysis, factor cost, factor group, factorial

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use factor in a sentence

It can differ from a person’s chronological age owing to health and lifestyle factors, as well as genetics.
What’s your biological age? A new app promises to reveal it—and help you slow the aging process|Jeremy Kahn|September 17, 2020|Fortune
So, ideally, we’d want to know how well each vaccine works in people with the most significant risk factors.
The risks of moving too fast on a coronavirus vaccine|Sam Baker|September 17, 2020|Axios
Price tends to be a significant factor in the success of a video game console.
Sony debuts new PlayStation for the holidays. Here’s how much it costs|Verne Kopytoff|September 17, 2020|Fortune
Key factor that’s already changing rankings is Cumulative Layout Shift.
Google ranking factors to change search in 2021: Core Web Vitals, E-A-T, or AMP?|Aleh Barysevich|September 16, 2020|Search Engine Watch

No single factor can explain, say, why one person pursues a life of crime and another excels in college.
‘The Origins of You’ explores how kids develop into their adult selves|Bruce Bower|September 16, 2020|Science News
It is the steady accretion of detail that may yet be the most damaging factor in the battle for British hearts and minds.
From Playboy Prince to Dirty Old Man?|Tom Sykes|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The quality of the music is a major factor in this recent surge.
Down With the King: Christianity Isn’t Hiding in Rap’s Closet|Stereo Williams|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 while the GoPro is impressive by itself, it has some serious wow factor when combined with a drone.
Why Every Home Needs a Drone This Holiday|Charlie Gilbert|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The main factor at the time was simply a lack of opportunity before we ended the book for the big New 52 line-wide relaunch.
Gail Simone’s Bisexual Catman and the ‘Secret Six’|Rich Goldstein|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Where goods are confided to a factor without instructions, authority to exercise a fair and reasonable discretion is implied.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
The authority of a factor to fix the terms of selling may be by agreement or by usage, like any other agent.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
A factor is employed to sell goods, and not to barter or exchange them, and if he should do this his principal could recover them.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
The true causes of the depression were not within the control of the Insular Government or of any ruling factor.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
This pronunciation of the nasal vowels in French is, as is well known, an important factor in the famous "accent du Midi."
Frdric Mistral|Charles Alfred Downer

British Dictionary definitions for factor

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

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 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.

factor

Origin of factor

OTHER WORDS FROM factor

Words nearby factor

Words related to factor

How to use factor in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for factor

Derived forms of factor

Word Origin for factor

usage for factor

Scientific definitions for factor