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factorial

American  
[fak-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr-] / fækˈtɔr i əl, -ˈtoʊr- /

noun

  1. Mathematics. the product of a given positive integer multiplied by all lesser positive integers: The quantity four factorial (4!) = 4 ⋅ 3 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 1 = 24. n!, where n is the given integer.


adjective

  1. Mathematics. of or relating to factors or factorials.

  2. of or relating to a factor or a factory.

factorial British  
/ fækˈtɔːrɪəl /

noun

  1. the product of all the positive integers from one up to and including a given integer. Factorial zero is assigned the value of one: factorial four is 1 × 2 × 3 × 4 . Symbol: n !, where n is the given integer

"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

adjective

  1. of or involving factorials or factors

"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
factorial Scientific  
/ făk-tôr′ē-əl /
  1. The product of all of the positive integers from 1 to a given positive integer. It is written as the given integer followed by an exclamation point. For example, the factorial of 4 (written 4!) is 1 × 2 × 3 × 4, or 24.


Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of factorial

First recorded in 1810–20; factor + -ial


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The healthiness of skin is multi factorial – lifestyle, environment, stress levels, diet and exercise regime all play into how our skin ages.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2025

We indicate these products with a special notation called factorial notation.

From Textbooks ● May 6, 2020

John Nash, the world-renowned mathematician, died; Left us too early but in recognition, I’d Put age of death on his graveside memorial: 10 squared times 2, plus 6, less 5 factorial.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 28, 2016

Because Pedro, despite technically being part of the city of Los Angeles, is in spirit a peninsular community, Ibarra's book turns into something more than another fanboy factorial.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2015

The possible connections within it were factorial one hundred thousand.

From Unwise Child by Randall Garrett

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