definitions

integral

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

noun

an integral whole.
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.Compare improper integral, line integral, multiple integral, surface integral.

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RELATED WORDS

indispensable, intrinsic, essential, elemental, indivisible, constituent, requisite, component, fundamental, perfect, aggregate, full, whole, entire, intact, unbroken, undivided, choate

Nearby words

intarsist, integer, integer vitae, integers, integrable, integral, integral calculus, integral curve, integral domain, integral equation, integral function

Origin of integral

From the Medieval Latin word integrālis, dating back to 1545–55. See integer, -al1
Related formsin·te·gral·i·ty, nounin·te·gral·ly, adverbun·in·te·gral, adjectiveun·in·te·gral·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for integral

British Dictionary definitions for integral

integral

adjective (ˈɪntɪɡrəl, ɪnˈtɛɡrəl)

(often foll by to) being an essential part (of); intrinsic (to)
intact; entire
formed of constituent parts; united
maths
  1. of or involving an integral
  2. involving or being an integer

noun (ˈɪntɪɡrəl)

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)Symbol: ʃ
a complete thing; whole
Derived Formsintegrality (ˌɪntɪˈɡrælɪtɪ), nounintegrally, adverb
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 integral

integral

adj.

late 15c., "of or pertaining to a whole," from Middle French intégral (14c.), from Medieval Latin integralis "forming a whole," from Latin integer "whole" (see integer). Related: Integrally. As a noun, 1610s, from the adjective.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Science definitions for integral

integral

[ ĭn′tĭ-grəl ]

Adjective

Involving or expressed as an integer or integers.

Noun

See definite integral indefinite integral.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.