fourth dimension
Americannoun
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Physics, Mathematics. a dimension in addition to length, width, and depth, used so as to be able to employ geometrical language in discussing phenomena that depend on four variables.
Time is considered a fourth dimension for locating points in space-time.
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something beyond the kind of normal human experience that can be explained scientifically.
The story deals with ESP and other excursions into the fourth dimension.
noun
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the dimension of time, which is necessary in addition to three spatial dimensions to specify fully the position and behaviour of a point or particle
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the concept in science fiction of a dimension in addition to three spatial dimensions, used to explain supernatural phenomena, events, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of fourth dimension
First recorded in 1870–75
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.
General relativity, proven accurate by countless tests and observations, suggests that gravity impacts not simply three physical dimensions but also a fourth dimension: time.
From Science Daily ● May 1, 2024
And, because of the magic of light, the fourth dimension of time is constantly added.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 2, 2024
He said he hoped to explore themes such as the fourth dimension, the multiverse and the metaverse in future builds and videos.
From New York Times ● Oct. 9, 2022
The fourth dimension offers unlimited space in which to unravel even the most complicated knot.
From Washington Post ● May 22, 2020
One thing Trout said that Rosewater liked very much was that there really were vampires and werewolves and goblins and angels and so on, but that they were in the fourth dimension.
From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
