cubic

[ kyoo-bik ]

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.

noun

1. Mathematics. a cubic polynomial or equation.

cubic

/ ˈkjuːbɪk /

adjective

1. having the shape of a cube
2. 1. having three dimensions
   2. denoting or relating to a linear measure that is raised to the third power Abbreviationcu.c

      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. Alsoisometricregular 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 )

noun

1. maths
   1. a cubic equation, such as x ³ + x + 2 = 0
   2. a cubic term or expression

cubic

/ 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

Other Words From

• cu·bic·i·ty [kyoo-, bis, -i-tee], noun
• sub·cubic adjective
• un·cubic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cubic¹

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

Example Sentences

Until now, the process by which a million cubic kilometres of salt accumulated in the Mediterranean basin over such a short period of time remained unknown.

From Science Daily

Once the gravel is in place, the builders will add about 6,000 cubic yards of “engineered soil” to the structure, Rock said.

From Los Angeles Times

When it burst, it unleashed tens of millions of cubic metres of toxic waste and mud.

From BBC

The researchers eventually worked out that 25 million cubic metres of rock - a volume equivalent of 25 Empire State Buildings - slammed into the water, causing a 200m-high “mega-tsunami”.

From BBC

Crews hired by the contractor Kiewit Corp. have excavated an estimated 1 million cubic yards of rock, soil and clay at Iron Gate Dam.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cuboid
• cuboidal