n.
Pronunciation: ə - ˌ präk-s ə - ' m ā -sh ə n
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 : the act or process of drawing together
2 : the quality or state of being close or near <an approximation to the truth> <an approximation of justice>
3 : something that is approximate especially : a mathematical quantity that is close in value to but not the same as a desired quantity
– ap · prox · i · ma · tive \ - ' präk-s ə - ˌ m ā -tiv \ adjective