noun
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any rational number that can be expressed as the sum or difference of a finite number of units, being a member of the set …–3, –2, –1, 0, 1, 2, 3…
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an individual entity or whole unit
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of integer
First recorded in 1500–10; from Latin: “untouched, undivided, whole, fresh,” equivalent to in- negative prefix + -teg- (combining form of tag-, root of tangere “to touch”) + -er adjective suffix; see in- 3
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Explanation
Integer is a math term for a number that is a whole number. In the equation 2 + 1/2, the number 2 is the integer and 1/2 is the fraction. Integer comes from a 16th century Latin word meaning "whole" or "intact." For a number to be considered an integer, it must be whole — no fractions or decimals here. An integer can be positive or negative. The numbers 0, 1, 2, -1, and -2 are all examples of integers.
Vocabulary lists containing integer
Pi Day Vocabulary
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Arithmetic
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The Number System
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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.
Integer works with other medical-device companies to design, develop and manufacture critical components.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025
Nearby Integer Telecom, a telecommunication provider, said in a Facebook post its building was destroyed in the explosion, adding: "All our staff are safe and unharmed and business will resume as normal."
From BBC • Dec. 14, 2023
In 1995 this prompted the mathematician, together with his colleague Simon Plouffe, to publish The Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences , which contained some 5,500 sequences.
From Scientific American • Mar. 3, 2023
“His swath was probably broader than anyone who ever lived,” said the mathematician Neil Sloane, a collaborator with Dr. Conway and the founder of the On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences.
From New York Times • Apr. 15, 2020
Integer vit�--now it rose again, sung before his house by young, fresh voices, a greeting of life to the living.
From The Children of the World by Heyse, Paul
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.
