n.
- A measure of spatial extent, especially width, height, or length.
- Extent or magnitude; scope. Often used in the plural: a problem of alarming dimensions.
- Aspect; element: "He's a good newsman, and he has that extra dimension" (William S. Paley).
- Mathematics.
- The least number of independent coordinates required to specify uniquely the points in a space.
- The range of such a coordinate.
- Physics. A physical property, such as mass, length, time, or a combination thereof, regarded as a fundamental measure or as one of a set of fundamental measures of a physical quantity: Velocity has the dimensions of length divided by time.
- To cut or shape to specified dimensions.
- To mark with specified dimensions.
[Middle English dimensioun, from Latin dīmēnsiō, dīmēnsiōn-, extent, from dīmēnsus, past participle of dīmētīrī, to measure out : dī-, dis-, dis- + mētīrī, to measure.]
dimensional di·men'sion·al adj.dimensionality di·men'sion·al'i·ty (-shə-năl'ĭ-tē) n.
dimensionally di·men'sion·al·ly adv.
dimensionless di·men'sion·less adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
