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

Meanwhile, uncertainty caused by the renewed escalation between the U.S. and Iran remains a factor to watch.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

"The other factor is the US economy is strong... they need our exports and you're seeing US businesses increasingly increase their orders for our Canadian exports."

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

Co-author Maria Thaker, Professor at CES, says another factor may be the open vegetation commonly found beside roads.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026

One thing Taylor hopes more women consider: Not investing is a risk that a lot of women don’t factor.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 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

The price cuts vary based on several factors, including the type of builder and geography.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 16, 2026

Lawyers take into account a range of factors, including the career seniority one spouse might have had, had they continued working, as well as lost income and lack of retirement savings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

But there are other factors at play here.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

"Understanding risk factors and taking action to prevent dementia can improve health and quality of life, helping people live longer, healthier and more independent lives," it said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

There are other enterprises where our ability to change the rules is constrained by factors over which we have no control.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 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

Comcast for its part sharply denied that future potential deals factored into its plan.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

You’ve even factored in cost-of-living adjustments, which is an important step.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 11, 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

Former Tottenham and Brentford boss Thomas Frank was linked to the Fulham job, while ex-Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna was deemed too expensive at £8m before factoring in his salary and staff costs.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

The on-time arrival performance of PepsiCo’s driverless trucks, after factoring out uncontrollable variables like weather and traffic, the company said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026

“It’s unfortunately hard for consumers to know if they’re getting churned or if the newer product really is that much better for them, even after factoring in any relevant surrender charges.”

From MarketWatch ● May 27, 2026

This capability has been showcased in a research setting before, though only by factoring small numbers.

From Barron's ● May 22, 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