dimension

[ dih-men-shuhn, dahy- ]

noun

1. Mathematics.
   1. a property of space; extension in a given direction:

      A straight line has one dimension, a parallelogram has two dimensions, and a parallelepiped has three dimensions.

   2. the generalization of this property to spaces with curvilinear extension, as the surface of a sphere.
   3. the generalization of this property to vector spaces and to Hilbert space.
   4. the generalization of this property to fractals, which can have dimensions that are noninteger real numbers.
   5. extension in time:

      Space-time has three dimensions of space and one of time.

2. Usually dimensions.
   1. measurement in length, width, and thickness.
   2. scope; importance:

      the dimensions of a problem.

3. an aspect, feature, or angle: We haven't addressed that dimension of the issue.

   A study abroad experience can add a cultural dimension to your language learning.

   We haven't addressed that dimension of the issue.

4. unit ( def 6 ).
5. magnitude; size:

   Matter has dimension.

6. Topology.
   1. a magnitude that, independently or in conjunction with other such magnitudes, serves to define the location of an element within a given set, as of a point on a line, an object in a space, or an event in space-time.
   2. the number of elements in a finite basis of a given vector space.
7. Physics. any of a set of basic kinds of quantity, as mass, length, and time, in terms of which all other kinds of quantity can be expressed: usually denoted by capital letters, with appropriate exponents, placed in brackets: Compare dimensional analysis ( def ).

   The dimensions of velocity are [LT−1].

8. Also called al·ter·nate di·men·sion [awl, -ter-nit di-, men, -sh, uh, n, dahy-]. (in science fiction, fantasy, etc.) a hypothetical universe or world that is different from our known universe and reachable by traveling in directions that are not the perceptible axes of space and time, as with the use of futuristic technology or magic: Compare parallel universe ( def 3 ).

   Your enemies are villains, cultists, terrible monsters, and unfathomable entities from alternate dimensions or the cosmos beyond.

9. dimensions, Informal. the measurements of a woman's bust, waist, and hips, in that order:

   The dressmaker noted that the customer's dimensions were 38-24-36.

10. dimension lumber ( def ).

verb (used with object)

1. to shape or fashion to the desired dimensions:

   Dimension the shelves so that they fit securely into the cabinet.

2. to indicate the dimensions of an item, area, etc., on (a sketch or drawing).

dimension

/ dɪˈmɛnʃən /

noun

1. often plural a measurement of the size of something in a particular direction, such as the length, width, height, or diameter
2. often plural scope; size; extent

   a problem of enormous dimensions

3. aspect

   a new dimension to politics

4. maths the number of coordinates required to locate a point in space
5. physics
   1. the product or the quotient of the fundamental physical quantities (such as mass, length, or time) raised to the appropriate power in a derived physical quantity

      the dimensions of velocity are length divided by time

   2. the power to which such a fundamental quantity has to be raised in a derived quantity

verb

1. tr
   1. to shape or cut to specified dimensions
   2. to mark with specified dimensions

dimension

/ dĭ-mĕn′shən /

1. 1. Any one of the three physical or spatial properties of length, area, and volume. In geometry, a point is said to have zero dimension; a figure having only length, such as a line, has one dimension; a plane or surface, two dimensions; and a figure having volume, three dimensions. The fourth dimension is often said to be time, as in the theory of General Relativity. Higher dimensions can be dealt with mathematically but cannot be represented visually.
   2. The measurement of a length, width, or thickness.
2. A unit, such as mass, time, or charge, associated with a physical quantity and used as the basis for other measurements, such as acceleration.

Derived Forms

• diˈmensional, adjective
• diˈmensionally, adverb
• diˌmensionˈality, noun
• diˈmensionless, adjective

Other Words From

• di·men·sion·al adjective
• di·men·sion·al·i·ty [dih-men-sh, uh, -, nal, -i-tee, dahy-], noun
• di·men·sion·al·ly adverb
• di·men·sion·less adjective
• mul·ti·di·men·sion·al adjective
• non·di·men·sioned adjective
• un·di·men·sioned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dimension¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English dimensioun, from Anglo-French or directly from Latin dīmēnsiōn- (stem of dīmēnsiō ) “a measuring,” equivalent to dīmēns(us) “measured out” (past participle of dīmētīrī, equivalent to dī- di- ² + mētīrī “to measure”) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of dimension¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin dīmensiō an extent, from dīmētīrī to measure out, from mētīrī

Example Sentences

Almost every dimension of inequity has been accentuated here.

From Fortune

At times he’s proposed worlds where the rules of the universe that we take for granted — about space, dimensions, the human body, the nature of dreams — are bent into strange new shapes.

From Vox

All the while, lidar measured the exact dimensions of their bodies.

From Science News For Students

Psychologists call this misleading feeling of helplessness the “pseudoinefficacy effect,” and it has a political dimension that may keep individuals from working to help others.

From Fortune

A simple argument shows that once the conjecture is false in one dimension, it’s necessarily false in all higher dimensions.

From Quanta Magazine

A Europe which is no longer open to the transcendent dimension of life is a Europe which risks slowly losing its own soul.

From The Daily Beast

Underneath, a miniature version of the bug-crazy man is revealed, himself thwacking away in an alternate dimension.

From The Daily Beast

There needs to be a fully thought out strategy with a political dimension that involves the opposition.

From The Daily Beast

Trippy, echoing sound effects give “A Brain In A Bottle” a sense of fullness and dimension—as they do for “Guess Again!”

From The Daily Beast

In the case of Hollywood actresses, too, this expectation takes on an even more pernicious dimension.

From The Daily Beast

For copying by engraving, &c. the exact dimension required of any picture may at once be given to be copied from.

From Project Gutenberg

By varying the distances between a and c, and c and b, any dimension required may be given to the positive impression.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a genuine western, with high horn and high cantle and two cinches, but much reduced in every dimension.

From Project Gutenberg

Dimension lines and centre lines are best put in of different colour.

From Project Gutenberg

The arrow-heads at the ends of the dimension lines are now put in with black ink, and so are the figures for the dimensions.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aspect
• element
• extent
• height
• importance
• length
• magnitude
• proportion
• quality
• range
• scope
• size
• thickness