matrix

[ mey-triks, ma- ]

/ ˈmeɪ trɪks, ˈmæ- /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: matrix / matrices on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural ma·tri·ces

[mey-tri-seez, ma-], /ˈmeɪ trɪˌsiz, ˈmæ-/, ma·trix·es.

something that constitutes the place or point from which something else originates, takes form, or develops: The Greco-Roman world was the matrix for Western civilization.

Anatomy. a formative part, as the corium beneath a nail.

Biology.

the intercellular substance of a tissue.
ground substance.

Petrology. the fine-grained portion of a rock in which coarser crystals or rock fragments are embedded.

fine material, as cement, in which lumps of coarser material, as of an aggregate, are embedded.

Mining. gangue.

Metallurgy. a crystalline phase in an alloy in which other phases are embedded.

Printing. a mold for casting typefaces.

master (def. 20).

Digital Technology a grid formed by perpendicular intersections that define potential space that may be filled, as by pixels on a screen, ink in dot-matrix printing, or material in 3D printing.

(in a press or stamping machine) a multiple die or perforated block on which the material to be formed is placed.

Mathematics. a rectangular array of numbers, algebraic symbols, or mathematical functions, especially when such arrays are added and multiplied according to certain rules.

Linguistics. a rectangular display of features characterizing a set of linguistic items, especially phonemes, usually presented as a set of columns of plus or minus signs specifying the presence or absence of each feature for each item.

Also called master. a mold made by electroforming from a disk recording, from which other disks may be pressed.

Archaic. the womb.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of matrix

1325–75; Middle English matris, matrix<Latin mātrix female animal kept for breeding (Late Latin: register, originally of such beasts), parent stem (of plants), derivative of māter mother

Words nearby matrix

matrilocal, matrimonial, matrimony, matrimony vine, matripotestal, matrix, matrix band, matrix barcode, matrix calculus, matrixing, matrix mechanics

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use matrix in a sentence

The matrix of batteries and drivetrains also affects performance.
Ford’s electric Mustang Mach-E is an important leap into the future|Dan Carney|February 12, 2021|Popular-Science
Neither de Blasio’s proposals nor the matrix would limit the NYPD’s current discretion over discipline.
New York City Council Proposes Sweeping NYPD Reforms|by Eric Umansky and Joaquin Sapien|February 1, 2021|ProPublica
A much-touted guideline for penalties, known as a discipline matrix, was implemented just days ago by the NYPD.
Still Can’t Breathe|by Topher Sanders, ProPublica, and Yoav Gonen, THE CITY, video by Lucas Waldron, ProPublica|January 21, 2021|ProPublica
Quanta also explored the power of representation theory, which shows the links connecting complicated objects called groups with the much simpler concept of matrices.
The Year in Math and Computer Science|Bill Andrews|December 23, 2020|Quanta Magazine

Many matrices have a measurement called a determinant, which is a single value calculated using the numbers in the matrix.
A Mathematician’s Unanticipated Journey Through the Physical World|Kevin Hartnett|December 16, 2020|Quanta Magazine
So we sneaked The Matrix and the movie they gave us after was 10 Things I Hate About You.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt on ‘Sin City’ and Why He Considers Himself a Male Feminist|Marlow Stern|August 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was the groundbreaking action/science-fiction franchise-maker, The Matrix.
Complaining Like It’s 1999: ‘Fight Club,’ ‘American Beauty,’ and the Revolt of the Cubicle Drone|Arthur Chu|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
OnTheFly (free) – This search engine app is based on the ITA Matrix software, which is own buy Google.
The Best Travel Apps for Road Warriors|Matthew Kepnes|May 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is an ultimatum seeking a target in the disorienting matrix of asymmetric warfare.
The History and Logic of Military Ultimatums, From Suez to Crimea|Jacob Siegel|March 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Is this not astonishing enough for Kaku that he has to resort to Star Trek references and discussions of the Matrix?
What Will Happen to Our Minds in the Future?|Robert Herritt|March 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The matrix or die is placed in a power press and the records pressed from the material used in making the sound records.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge|Various
A tombstone under the west window shows the matrix of what was once a magnificent brass.
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Carlisle|C. King Eley
Then to finish all, Margaret wore in the lace at her throat, a great brooch of turquoise matrix, which matched her eyes.
The Butterfly House|Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
Every environment leaves the stamp of its matrix on the individual shaped in it.
Sense from Thought Divide|Mark Irvin Clifton
This formed the matrix into which the molten metal was poured to make the stereotype plate, or die, for printing.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete|Albert Bigelow Paine

British Dictionary definitions for matrix

matrix

/ (ˈmeɪtrɪks, ˈmæ-) /

noun plural matrices (ˈmeɪtrɪˌsiːz, ˈmæ-) or matrixes

a substance, situation, or environment in which something has its origin, takes form, or is enclosed

anatomy the thick tissue at the base of a nail from which a fingernail or toenail develops

the intercellular substance of bone, cartilage, connective tissue, etc

the rock material in which fossils, pebbles, etc, are embedded
the material in which a mineral is embedded; gangue

printing

a metal mould for casting type
a papier-mâché or plastic mould impressed from the forme and used for stereotypingSometimes shortened to: mat

(formerly) a mould used in the production of gramophone records. It is obtained by electrodeposition onto the master

a bed of perforated material placed beneath a workpiece in a press or stamping machine against which the punch operates

metallurgy

the shaped cathode used in electroforming
the metal constituting the major part of an alloy
the soft metal in a plain bearing in which the hard particles of surface metal are embedded

the main component of a composite material, such as the plastic in a fibre-reinforced plastic

maths a rectangular array of elements set out in rows and columns, used to facilitate the solution of problems, such as the transformation of coordinates. Usually indicated by parentheses: (a d b e c f)Compare determinant (def. 3)

linguistics the main clause of a complex sentence

computing a rectangular array of circuit elements usually used to generate one set of signals from another

obsolete the womb

Word Origin for matrix

C16: from Latin: womb, female animal used for breeding, from māter mother

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

Medical definitions for matrix

matrix

[ mā′trĭks ]

n. pl. ma•trix•es

A surrounding substance within which something else originates, develops, or is contained.

The womb.

The formative cells or tissue of a fingernail, toenail, or tooth.

ground substance

A specially shaped instrument, plastic material, or metal strip for holding and shaping the material used in filling a tooth cavity.

Scientific definitions for matrix

matrix

[ mā′trĭks ]

Plural matrices (mā′trĭ-sēz′, măt′rĭ-) matrixes

Geology The mineral grains of a rock in which fossils are embedded.

Biology The component of an animal or plant tissue that is outside the cells. Bone cells are embedded in a matrix of collagen fibers and mineral salts. Connective tissue consists of cells and extracellular fibers in a liquid called ground substance. Also called extracellular matrix

Mathematics A rectangular array of numeric or algebraic quantities subject to mathematical operations.

Anatomy The formative cells or tissue of a fingernail, toenail, or tooth.

matrix

Origin of matrix

Words nearby matrix

Words related to matrix

How to use matrix in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for matrix

Word Origin for matrix

Medical definitions for matrix

Scientific definitions for matrix