integral

[ in-ti-gruhl, in-teg-ruhl ]

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.

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

integral

/ 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

noun

1. 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 ) ʃ
2. a complete thing; whole

integral

/ ĭn′tĭ-grəl /

Adjective

1. Involving or expressed as an integer or integers.

Noun

1. See definite integral

Derived Forms

• ˈintegrally, adverb
• integrality, noun

Other Words From

• inte·grali·ty noun
• inte·gral·ly adverb
• un·inte·gral adjective
• un·inte·gral·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of integral¹

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

Example Sentences

This increase is similar to the situation in other western countries, suggesting that coercion is now an integral part of mental health treatment.

From Salon

Ms. Rosenbury defended counting guest speakers as part-time faculty, saying it fell within A.B.A. standards because they were “practicing lawyers, judges and colloquium speakers” whose participation was integral to courses.

From New York Times

Moreover, as a fan of the original production, Chu didn’t want to lose too many of those integral “bible” moments.

From Los Angeles Times

The humor, an integral part of the playwright’s flamboyant arsenal, is also missed.

From Los Angeles Times

Her in-laws became an integral part of her comedy act.

From BBC

Related Words

• elemental
• essential
• indispensable
• intrinsic