precision

American  

[pri-sizh-uhn] / prɪˈsɪʒ ən /

noun

1. the state or quality of being precise.

2. accuracy; exactness.

   to arrive at an estimate with precision.

   Synonyms:

   rigor

3. mechanical or scientific exactness.

   a lens ground with precision.

4. punctiliousness; strictness.

   precision in one's business dealings.

5. Mathematics. the degree to which the correctness of a quantity is expressed.

6. Chemistry, Physics. the extent to which a given set of measurements of the same sample agree with their mean.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by precision.

   precision swimming; precision instruments for aircraft.

precision British  

/ prɪˈsɪʒən /

noun

1. the quality of being precise; accuracy

2. (modifier) characterized by or having a high degree of exactness

   precision grinding

   a precision instrument

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Other Word Forms

• overprecision noun
• precisional adjective
• precisionism noun
• precisionist noun
• ultraprecision noun

Etymology

Origin of precision

First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin praecīsiōn-, stem of praecīsiō “cutoff”; equivalent to precise + -ion

Explanation

Use the noun precision to describe something that's exact, such as the work of a carpenter who's made 100 identical pieces of railing for a grand staircase. Precision is similar to perfection in that both words suggest that something could not possibly be better. However, perfection describes something that's flawless, such as a beautiful sunset. Precision, on the other hand, is more about accuracy, like computing the exact second that the perfect sunset will occur.

Example Sentences

“In an era of intensifying global threats and budgetary pressure, the government is turning to software that actually works as speed, precision and decision advantage are paramount.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

It’s less about precision, more about momentum — building flavor in layers and trusting that it will meet me there.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

Those gains enabled the navigational precision of the Apollo missions, automated the factory floor and migrated computing from government labs to car dashboards and the pockets of billions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

They praised the precision and sophistication of the installation, saying it "addresses complex historical issues with strong contemporary resonance, and its use of a clinical, minimalist display that conveys both irony and seriousness".

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

While the room was very old, the acoustics were perfect, and there was a balance and precision to the space that seemed almost magical.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Related Words

• rigor