cubic

American  

[kyoo-bik] / ˈkju bɪk /

adjective

1. having three dimensions; solid.

2. having the form of a cube; cubical.

3. pertaining to the measurement of volume.

   the cubic contents of a vessel.

4. pertaining to a unit of linear measure that is multiplied by itself twice to form a unit of measure for volume.

   cubic foot; cubic centimeter; cubic inch; cubic meter.

5. Mathematics. of or relating to the third degree.

6. Crystallography. belonging or pertaining to the isometric system of crystallization.

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noun

1. Mathematics. a cubic polynomial or equation.

cubic British  

/ ˈkjuːbɪk /

adjective

1. having the shape of a cube

2. 1. having three dimensions

   2. Abbreviation: cu..   c.  denoting or relating to a linear measure that is raised to the third power

      a cubic metre

3. maths of, relating to, or containing a variable to the third power or a term in which the sum of the exponents of the variables is three

4. Also: isometric.   regular.  crystallog relating to or belonging to the crystal system characterized by three equal perpendicular axes. The unit cell of cubic crystals is a cube with a lattice point at each corner ( simple cubic ) and one in the cube's centre ( body-centred cubic ), or a lattice point at each corner and one at the centre of each face ( face-centred cubic )

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noun

1. maths

   1. a cubic equation, such as x ³ + x + 2 = 0

   2. a cubic term or expression

cubic Scientific  

/ kyo̅o̅′bĭk /

1. Referring to a volume unit of measurement.

2. Involving a number or a variable that has been raised to the third power.

3. Relating to a crystal having three axes of equal length intersecting at right angles. The mineral pyrite has cubic crystals.

4. Also called isometric

5. See illustration at crystal

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Other Word Forms

• cubicity
  noun
• subcubic
  adjective
• uncubic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of cubic

1490–1500; earlier cubik < Latin cubicus < Greek kybikós. See cube ¹, -ic

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cubic

The qubits were arranged in square, cubic, or diamond shaped lattices.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 20, 2026

The cost of the drinking water produced by desalination plants on the Aeolian Islands is around two euros per cubic metre.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

Gas in underground storage facilities rose by 61 billion cubic feet to 2,983 Bcf, expanding the surplus to 185 Bcf from 175 Bcf the week before.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

But they also store less energy per cubic inch.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

Schaan and Ranzi have estimated that building a single geoglyph 600 feet across would require moving ten thousand cubic yards of earth— a big task without metal tools.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• cuboid
• cuboidal