vector

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablemathematicsphysics

   A quantity in mathematics or physics that has both a size and a direction, usually drawn as an arrow.

   Grammar: Often used with a noun adjunct: velocity vector.

   Patterns

   • a vector of something
   • the vector sum of something

   Velocity is a vector because it has speed and direction.

   The pilot drew the wind as a vector on the map.

   Add the two force vectors to find the net force.

2. 2nouncountablebiologymedical

   An organism, often an insect, that carries a disease-causing germ from one host to another.

   Grammar: Followed by for or of: a vector for malaria.

   Patterns

   • a vector for something
   • a vector of disease

   The mosquito is a vector for malaria.

   Ticks serve as a vector of Lyme disease.

   Rats were the vector that spread the plague.

3. 3nouncountablecomputing

   A method or route by which something harmful, such as a virus or cyberattack, spreads or gets into a system.

   Grammar: Used with attack or infection: an attack vector.

   Patterns

   • a vector for something

   Email attachments remain a common attack vector.

   The infected file was a vector for the malware.

   Shared surfaces can be a vector for infection.

4. 4nouncountable or uncountablecomputing

   A digital image or file made of lines and shapes defined by points rather than a grid of pixels, so it can be enlarged without blurring.

   Grammar: Often used before graphics: vector graphics.

   Patterns

   • vector graphics
   • a vector file

   The logo is saved as a vector so it can be enlarged for posters.

   Designers prefer vector files for icons.

   Vector art stays sharp at any size.

Word forms

Common combinations

velocity vector

The velocity vector points along the direction of motion.

attack vector

A weak password is a common attack vector.

disease vector

Mosquitoes are a well-known disease vector.

vector graphics

Vector graphics keep their quality when resized.

unit vector

A unit vector has a length of one.

Synonyms and how they differ

carrier

Carrier is a looser everyday word for something or someone that passes a germ on, whereas vector is technical and often means an animal that transmits it.

route

Route simply means a path, while vector in the security sense implies a path that harm travels.

direction

Direction names only where something points, whereas a vector also includes how large it is.

channel

Channel means a means of passing something along and can be neutral, unlike vector, which is mostly used for harm.

Opposites

Word family

vectorial adjective

relating to vectors

vectorize verb

to convert into vector form

vector-borne adjective

spread by a living carrier such as a mosquito

scalar noun

a quantity with size but no direction

Commonly confused: vector or victor? vector or scalar?

Practice

Make it your own

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