integral

[in-ti-gruhl, in-teg-ruhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging as a part of the whole; constituent or component.

   integral parts.

2. necessary to the completeness of the whole.

   This point is integral to his plan.

   Synonyms: requisite, indispensable, essential

3. consisting or composed of parts that together constitute a whole.

4. entire; complete; whole.

   the integral works of a writer.

5. Arithmetic.,  pertaining to or being an integer; not fractional.

6. Mathematics.,  pertaining to or involving integrals.

noun

1. an integral whole.

2. Mathematics.

   1. Also called Riemann integral. the numerical measure of the area bounded above by the graph of a given function, below by the x -axis, and on the sides by ordinates drawn at the endpoints of a specified interval; the limit, as the norm of partitions of the given interval approaches zero, of the sum of the products of the function evaluated at a point in each subinterval times the length of the subinterval.

   2. a primitive.

   3. any of several analogous quantities.

integral

/ ˌɪntɪˈɡrælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. (often foll by to) being an essential part (of); intrinsic (to)

2. intact; entire

3. formed of constituent parts; united

4. maths

   1. of or involving an integral

   2. involving or being an integer

noun

1. ʃ. maths the limit of an increasingly large number of increasingly smaller quantities, related to the function that is being integrated (the integrand). The independent variables may be confined within certain limits ( definite integral ) or in the absence of limits ( indefinite integral )

2. a complete thing; whole

integral

1. Involving or expressed as an integer or integers.

1. See definite integral indefinite integral

Other Word Forms

• integrality noun
• integrally adverb
• unintegral adjective
• unintegrally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of integral¹

From the Medieval Latin word integrālis, dating back to 1545–55. See integer, -al ¹

Example Sentences

She described him as "integral to the charity" and said they can "always rely on him to be the first to approach new members to make sure they feel welcome and at home".

Read more on BBC

Now he wants to give a voice to something that goes beyond football and singing — he wants to remind everyone that immigrants are an integral part of American culture.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Rare earths are also integral for national security — used in radar, lasers and satellite systems.

Read more on MarketWatch

Whether to just drown out the noise, listen to music or an audiobook, they’re an integral part of my travel experience.

Read more on Salon

Berry’s score is integral to the class’ meditative ambience.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• elemental 
• essential 
• indispensable 
• intrinsic