factor

[ fak-ter ]

/ ˈfæk tər /

SEE MORE 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.

Nearby words

factitiously, factitive, factitively, factive, factoid, factor, factor analysis, factor cost, factor group, factor i, factor ii

Origin of factor

1400–50; late Middle English facto(u)r < Latin factor maker, perpetrator, equivalent to fac(ere) to make, do + -tor -tor

Related forms

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for factors

Two factors made Hiram Revels especially interesting to the Washington establishment.
The Black Man Who Replaced Jefferson Davis in the Senate|Philip Dray|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A comprehensive rehabilitation approach takes into account all these factors.
Understanding Tracy Morgan’s Traumatic Brain Injury|Jean Kim|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Factors that once worked against him, like his Sasquatch-esque hairstyle, are now a positive.
How to Run a Statewide Campaign on $38|Michael Ames|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What factors correlate with acceptance of sexual diversity?
It Gets Better—but Mostly if You Live in a Rich, Democratic Country|Jay Michaelson|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

These factors are most important to students and so they make up the majority of our rankings.
The Daily Beast College Rankings Methodology|Brandy Zadrozny|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Assuming the milk to be normal in character, success depends on the use of a proper combination of these factors.
The Book of Cheese|Charles Thom and Walter Warner Fisk
The first of these was characterized by the predominance of Renaissance factors over those which were more properly plateresque.
A History of Spain|Charles E. Chapman
These factors in Pacific rivalry will be discussed in detail in the following chapters.
Problems of the Pacific|Frank Fox
Or possibly these factors or the need to find food and security overcame the homing tendency.
An Experimental Translocation of the Eastern Timber Wolf|Thomas F. Weise
To her inexperience desperate remedies had seemed so simple, so feasible—the factors of life so few and unentwined.
The Daughters of Danaus|Mona Caird

British Dictionary definitions for factors

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

Word Origin for factor

C15: from Latin: one who acts, from facere to do

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

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

Word Origin and History for factors (1 of 2)

factor

early 15c., "agent, deputy," from Middle French facteur "agent, representative," from Latin factor "doer or maker," agent noun from past participle stem of facere "to do" (see factitious). Sense of "circumstance producing a result" is from 1816.

Word Origin and History for factors (1 of 2)

factor

1610s, "act as an agent," from factor (n.). The use in mathematics is attested from 1837. Related: Factored; factoring.

Medicine definitions for factors

factor

[ făk′tər ]

n.

One that contributes in the cause of an action.

A mathematical component that by multiplication makes up a number or expression.

A gene.

A substance, such as a vitamin, that functions in a specific biochemical reaction or bodily process, such as blood coagulation.

Science definitions for factors

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

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Verb Phrases

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Origin of factor

Examples from the Web for factors

British Dictionary definitions for factors

factor

noun

verb

Word Origin for factor

usage

Word Origin and History for factors (1 of 2)

factor

Word Origin and History for factors (1 of 2)

factor

Medicine definitions for factors

factor

n.

Science definitions for factors

factor

Noun

Verb