precision

[ pri-sizh-uhn ]

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. Compare accuracy ( def 3 ).
6. Chemistry, Physics. the extent to which a given set of measurements of the same sample agree with their mean. Compare accuracy ( def 2 ).

adjective

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

   precision swimming; precision instruments for aircraft.

precision

/ prɪˈsɪʒən /

noun

1. the quality of being precise; accuracy
2. modifier characterized by or having a high degree of exactness

   a precision instrument

   precision grinding

Derived Forms

• preˈcisionism, noun
• preˈcisionist, noun

Other Words From

• pre·cision·al adjective
• over·pre·cision noun
• ultra·pre·cision noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of precision¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of precision¹

C17: from Latin praecīsiō a cutting off; see precise

Example Sentences

The new algorithm, developed by engineers at Princeton and Stanford Engineering, works by trimming redundancies and reducing the precision of an LLM's layers of information.

From Science Daily

This new testing method further advances precision medicine, which is a patient care approach that customizes treatments specifically for a person's genetics, environment and lifestyle.

From Science Daily

The team's pioneering approach also integrates broadband, high-frequency modulation of the OPO output, which allows the enhancement of the signal-to-noise ratio, providing even greater detection precision.

From Science Daily

However, when subunits are mutated or USP39 is absent, the stability of the tripartite complex is compromised, causing the spliceosome to lose precision.

From Science Daily

I was reading a journal he kept in prison, and I was mesmerized by the quality of his writing and the precision of his observations.

From Salon

Related Words

• rigor