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Meaning & use

dimension

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/daɪˈmenʃn/
US/dəˈmenʃn/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A measurement of length, width or height, or the overall measurements of an object or space.

    Grammar: Often plural when giving a size: the dimensions of the room.

    Patterns

    • the dimensions of something

    The dimensions of the table are four feet by two.

    Measure the dimensions of the box before you order.

    The artist worked on a canvas of enormous dimensions.

  2. nouncountable

    One part or aspect of a situation, problem or person's character.

    Grammar: Usually followed by 'to' or 'of': a new dimension to the story.

    Patterns

    • a new dimension to something
    • add a dimension to something

    Music added a new dimension to the party.

    There is a moral dimension to the debate.

    Her illness gave the story a human dimension.

  3. nouncountabletechnicalphysics

    In physics and mathematics, a direction in which something can extend, such as length or time.

    Grammar: Technical: three dimensions, the fourth dimension.

    Patterns

    • in three dimensions

    A line has one dimension and a plane has two.

    Time is often called the fourth dimension.

    Science fiction often features travel between dimensions.

Word forms

pluraldimensions

Common combinations

add a dimension
Photos add a dimension to the report.
a new dimension
The dispute took on a new dimension.
in three dimensions
The model shows the city in three dimensions.
the fourth dimension
Some films treat time as the fourth dimension.
exact dimensions
Please give me the exact dimensions of the window.

Synonyms and how they differ

measurement
Measurement is a number from measuring, whereas dimension names which direction is measured.
aspect
Aspect is a looser word for one side of a topic, while dimension suggests a distinct layer.
facet
Facet suggests one of many surfaces, like a cut gem, and is a bit more literary.
size
Size is general, while dimension gives specific measurements.

Word family

dimensional adjective
relating to dimensions
two-dimensional adjective
flat, with only length and width
multidimensional adjective
having many aspects
dimensionless adjective
having no units of measurement

Commonly confused: dimension or dementia?

dimension vs dementia

Dimension and dementia look and sound loosely alike but are unrelated: dementia is a medical condition affecting memory.

Practice

The interviews added a human ___ to the statistics.

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