Pronunciation: d ə - ' men(t)-sh ə n also d ī -
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin dimension-, dimensio, from dimetiri to measure out, from dis- + metiri to measure ― more at MEASURE
Date: 14th century
1 a (1) : measure in one direction specifically : one of three coordinates determining a position in space or four coordinates determining a position in space and time (2) : one of a group of properties whose number is necessary and sufficient to determine uniquely each element of a system of usually mathematical entities (as an aggregate of points in real or abstract space) <the surface of a sphere has two dimension s > also : a parameter or coordinate variable assigned to such a property <the three dimension s of momentum> (3) : the number of elements in a basis of a vector space b : the quality of spatial extension : MAGNITUDE , SIZE c : a lifelike or realistic quality d : the range over which or the degree to which something extends : SCOPE ― usually used in plural e : one of the elements or factors making up a complete personality or entity : ASPECT
2 obsolete : bodily form or proportions
3 : any of the fundamental units (as of mass, length, or time) on which a derived unit is based also : the power of such a unit
4 : wood or stone cut to pieces of specified size
5 : a level of existence or consciousness
– di · men · sion · al \ - ' mench-n ə l, - ' men(t)-sh ə -n ə l \ adjective
– di · men · sion · al · i · ty \ - ˌ men(t)-sh ə - ' na-l ə -t ē \ noun
– di · men · sion · al · ly \ - ' mench-n ə -l ē , - ' men(t)-sh ə -n ə l- ē \ adverb
– di · men · sion · less \ - ' men(t)-sh ə n-l ə s \ adjective