integral

American  

[in-ti-gruhl, in-teg-ruhl] / ˈɪn tɪ grəl, ɪnˈtɛg rəl /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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 Scientific  

/ ĭn′tĭ-grəl /

1. Involving or expressed as an integer or integers.

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1. See definite integral indefinite integral

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of integral

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

Example Sentences

Leaders said the company has shifted its focus toward IP-based digital games — a more profitable landscape than toys, which were once integral to Mattel’s success.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

As AI models become more capable of completing tasks such as generating complex spreadsheets and in-depth reports, Yun is betting on AI becoming an integral part of workers’ daily lives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

One of Wilson's most integral bands, The Happy Mondays, were on had to give out an award at the Brits.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

The humiliation is integral to the authoritarian’s personalist-style of rule, Ben-Ghiat argued.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

“That’s amusing—but no. He was no accident. I’m certain these ‘enhanced’ hollows were an integral part of the assault on our loops.”

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

Related Words

• elemental
• essential
• indispensable
• intrinsic