spatial

[ spey-shuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to space, the three-dimensional realm or expanse in which all material objects are located and all events occur.
2. existing or occurring in space; having extension in space.

spatial

/ ˈspeɪʃəl; ˌspeɪʃɪˈælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to space
2. existing or happening in space

Derived Forms

• ˈspatially, adverb
• spatiality, noun

Other Words From

• spa·ti·al·i·ty [spey-shee-, al, -i-tee], noun
• spa·tial·ly adverb
• non·spa·tial adjective
• non·spa·ti·al·i·ty noun
• qua·si-spa·tial adjective
• un·spa·tial adjective
• un·spa·ti·al·i·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spatial¹

First recorded in 1840–50; from Latin spati(um) space + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The researchers made the discovery thanks to spatial genomics, a technique used to study the genetic information of cells in their exact locations within a tissue.

From Science Daily

Bloomer says this spatial scale is meaningful for conservation planning efforts but masks the exact locations where sensitive or imperiled species were found.

From Science Daily

Since animal meat is primarily muscle tissue, it has a unique spatial arrangement of the proteins, fats and water.

From Salon

Despite great advances in RNA analysis, linking RNA data to its spatial context has long been a challenge, especially in intact 3D tissue volumes.

From Science Daily

To the researchers' surprise, the spatial composition of the intestine -- the relative location of various cell types and the genes they express -- remained relatively stable when certain factors changed.

From Science Daily