array

Meanings

1. 1nounsingular

   A large, varied collection of things, usually displayed or presented in an orderly way.

   Grammar: Singular and usually followed by of: an array of choices.

   Patterns

   • an array of something
   • a wide array of something

   The shop sells an impressive array of cheeses.

   She was faced with a bewildering array of options.

   The festival has a dazzling array of food stalls.

2. 2nouncountablecomputingtechnical

   In computing, an ordered list of values stored together and reached by position number.

   Grammar: Countable: create an array.

   Patterns

   • an array of numbers
   • loop through an array

   The program stores each score in an array.

   You can loop through the array to find the highest number.

   The first element of an array is usually at index zero.

3. 3nouncountabletechnical

   An arrangement of objects, such as solar panels or antennas, laid out in rows or a grid.

   Grammar: Countable, often with a noun before it: a solar array.

   Patterns

   • a solar array
   • an array of antennas

   A huge solar array covers the desert floor.

   The telescope uses an array of dishes working together.

   Students arranged the tiles in a rectangular array.

4. 4verbtransitiveformalliterary

   To place things in an organized, impressive order, or to dress someone elegantly.

   Grammar: Takes an object and often is passive: soldiers arrayed in rows.

   Patterns

   • array something in something
   • be arrayed against someone

   The general arrayed his troops along the ridge.

   The tables were arrayed with fruit and flowers.

   Forces arrayed against the plan were strong.

Word forms

Common combinations

a wide array of

The store stocks a wide array of tools.

an impressive array

The museum has an impressive array of fossils.

a dazzling array

The market offers a dazzling array of spices.

solar array

The roof carries a small solar array.

declare an array

The code must declare an array before using it.

in an array

The data were stored in an array.

Synonyms and how they differ

range

Range suggests items spread between limits, while array stresses that they are all displayed or lined up.

variety

Variety stresses difference between items, while array stresses the sight of many together.

selection

Selection implies choices picked out for someone to choose from, whereas array need not be chosen.

list

List is a simple series of items, but in programming an array is a specific structure with indexed positions.

Word family

arrayed adjective

placed in order, or dressed

disarray noun

a state of disorder

subarray noun

a smaller array taken from a larger one

Commonly confused: array or disarray?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “array”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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