factor

[ fak-ter ]

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.

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, adjective
fac·tor·a·bil·i·ty, noun
fac·tor·ship, noun
sub·fac·tor, noun
un·der·fac·tor, noun
un·fac·tor·a·ble, adjective
un·fac·tored, adjective

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

How to use factor in a sentence

The team understood early on that local residents must be factored in as key stakeholders.
For Rent: Priceless Historic Sites | Elinor Betesh | November 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In Scotland, hourly wage inequality matches the rest of the United Kingdom once the skew of London is factored out.
Scotland’s ‘Yes’ Campaign and the Myth of Scottish Equality | Noah Caldwell | September 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
When the possibility of a government shutdown was factored in, there was even less support.
Heckuva Job, Wacko Birds: You’ve Shut Down the U.S. Government | Kirsten Powers | October 1, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Everything from aisle placement to spokespeople is factored in.
How Fast Food Hooks Us | Nina Strochlic | February 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
How Alleged Abuse Factored Into a Murder Case Baez maintains that “despite the headlines, this case was never about sexual abuse.”
Speed Read: ‘Presumed Guilty—Casey Anthony: The Inside Story’ | The Daily Beast | July 6, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

We can make no statements about the Mendelian inheritance of such a trait until it is factored into its units.
The Social Direction of Evolution | William E. Kellicott

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 polynomial: 2 and 3 are factors of 6
- an integer or polynomial that can be exactly divided into another integer or polynomial: 1, 2, 3, and 6 are all factors of 6

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

Origin of 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

See also factor in

Derived forms of factor

factorable, adjective
factorability, noun
factorship, noun

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.

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