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

She acknowledged that the success of a jockey is dependent on "being chosen", but is adamant that her gender isn't a factor in the opportunities she gets.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

The World Weather Attribution study said climate change was a "destabilising factor acting on a pre-existing geological predisposition", but it was not the only cause of the disaster.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Yesterday, we asked whether physical fitness should factor into which servicemembers are selected to attend Pentagon events.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

Another factor is that bond-market volatility has remained low, despite rising rates.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

“Yeah, he believes Malik is going to be able to identify some factor in tuatara blood that makes them age slowly, and then he’s going to ‘cure death,’” Davis said, using air quotes.

From "Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green

Top-performing finance executives typically have a keen sense for how much they can ask for based on factors such as the strength of their business, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

The current El Niño, which is already at near-record levels, is one of several factors influencing the outlook.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

“We’ve seen an unprecedented number of layoffs in the technology sector as economic factors combined with ‘AI hype’ have led to significant downsizing.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

When asked why she felt now was the right time for her to conclude that chapter of her career, Sheindlin replied that there were a couple of factors.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

The standard argument is that this thesis proves that evidence does not determine what scientists hold to be true; consequently, it is claimed, scientific beliefs are primarily shaped by cultural and social factors.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

“Any weakness in growth will be factored into the forecast for inflation,” the minutes said, in reference to a new quarterly Bank of Canada outlook coming next month.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

It's likely that detectives will look closely at the inquiry's findings about those managers, which could be factored into their investigation.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

Kong hasn’t factored in potential higher dividends, as RHB might need to retain capital to support loan growth while maintaining ROE at around 10%.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

Burton said the company has a fleet of about 200 trucks, 56 of which are now zero-emission, including hydrogen fuel cells and battery electrics whose charging time is factored into the logistics of the drive.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

The water was blue and full of chlorine, and my eyes stung, but I factored the equation and realized I was upside down and all I had to do was right myself and swim up.

From "The Lions of Little Rock" by Kristin Levine

One key reason for the rise in insurance costs is that carriers are factoring in recent disasters.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026

Blockbuster US jobs figures last week have pushed up bets on a Fed increase -- the CME Group's FedWatch tool factoring a more than 60 percent chance of such a move.

From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026

Chief Executive Todd Vasos said the results exceeded expectations, even before factoring in the benefit of tariff refunds and related reinvestments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

Phillip Securities Research raises its rating to buy from accumulate and lifts its target price to 7.21 Singapore dollars from S$7.00 after factoring in contributions from Sembcorp’s acquisition of Alinta Energy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

The bus ride down Arlington Avenue was extremely short, so Jake amused himself by silently factoring percentages for passengers versus bus capacity and average number of potholes per city block.

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

Related Words

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