scalar
Americanadjective
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representable by position on a scale or line; having only magnitude.
a scalar variable.
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of, relating to, or utilizing a scalar.
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ladderlike in arrangement or organization; graduated.
a scalar structure for promoting personnel.
noun
noun
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a quantity, such as time or temperature, that has magnitude but not direction Compare vector tensor pseudoscalar pseudovector
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maths an element of a field associated with a vector space
adjective
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A quantity, such as mass, length, or speed, whose only property is magnitude; a number.
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Compare vector
Etymology
Origin of scalar
First recorded in 1650–60, scalar is from the Latin word scālāris of a ladder. See scale 3, -ar 1
Vocabulary lists containing scalar
Physics - High School
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Force and Motion (Mechanics) - High School
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Precalculus
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Basically, this collapse produces a lot of particles, including the right-handed neutrinos, the scalar bosons, and the gauge boson, like a shower," study co-author Hamada explains.
From Science Daily • Dec. 7, 2025
A sentient, integrated planetary AI could bridge the scalar divide, aligning humanity’s actions with planetary needs, coordinating resources, and offering a level of problem-solving agility previously unimaginable.
From Salon • May 17, 2025
To calculate the angle between two vectors, you multiply them together using the scalar product and then divide by the two vector lengths.
From Scientific American • Aug. 17, 2023
The short third movement — featuring scalar, zigzagging, independent parts for flute, vibraphone and strings — heralded a brief but hard-won freedom.
From New York Times • Oct. 16, 2022
It is doubtful indeed whether any general conclusions can yet be drawn as to the relations between crystal structure and scalar properties and the relative stability of polymorphs.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
