scalar

[ skey-ler ]

adjective

1. representable by position on a scale or line; having only magnitude:

   a scalar variable.

2. of, relating to, or utilizing a scalar.
3. ladderlike in arrangement or organization; graduated:

   a scalar structure for promoting personnel.

noun

1. Mathematics, Physics. a quantity possessing only magnitude. Compare vector ( def 1a ).

scalar

/ ˈskeɪlə /

noun

1. a quantity, such as time or temperature, that has magnitude but not direction Compare vector tensor pseudoscalar pseudovector
2. maths an element of a field associated with a vector space

adjective

1. having magnitude but not direction

scalar

/ skā′lər /

1. A quantity, such as mass, length, or speed, whose only property is magnitude; a number.
2. Compare vector

Word History and Origins

Origin of scalar¹

First recorded in 1650–60, scalar is from the Latin word scālāris of a ladder. See scale ³, -ar ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of scalar¹

C17 (meaning: resembling a ladder): from Latin scālāris, from scāla ladder

Example Sentences

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

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

You can hear in it some scalar patterns familiar from tracks like “The Golden Fang.”

From New York Times

Additionally, Qualcomm is promising big improvements in both scalar and tensor AI tasks as part of those upgrades.

From The Verge

But he notes that in some sense it merely replaces one mysterious thing—dark matter—with another—a carefully tuned scalar field.

From Science Magazine