FACTOR

(FACT) [noun] [C] - a fact or situation which influences the result of somethingPeople's voting habits are influenced by political, social and economic factors.Heavy snow was a contributing factor in the accident.Price will be a crucial factor in the success of this new product.The patients' confidence in the treatment was a major factor in contributing to the treatment's success.The economy is regarded as the decisive/key factor which will determine the outcome of the general election.(informal) The film's success is partly due to its happy ending and its feel-good factor (= its ability to make people feel happy).The weather is the one unknown factor which could ruin the whole plan.