approximation
Use Approximation in a sentence
səˈmeɪ noun
1.
a guess or estimate: Ninety-three million miles is an approximation of the distance of the earth from the sun.
2.
nearness in space, position, degree, or relation; proximity; closeness.
3.
Mathematics, Physics. a result that is not necessarily exact, but is within the limits of accuracy required for a given purpose.
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English approximacioun (< Middle French) < Medieval Latin approximātiōn-, stem of approximātiō. See approximate, -ion
1400–50; late Middle English approximacioun (< Middle French) < Medieval Latin approximātiōn-, stem of approximātiō. See approximate, -ion
Related forms
ap·prox·i·ma·tive, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To approximation
00:10
Approximation
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
approximation (əˌprɒksɪˈmeɪʃən) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the process or result of making a rough calculation, estimate, or guess: he based his conclusion on his own approximation of the fuel consumption |
| 2. | an imprecise or unreliable record or version: an approximation of what really happened |
| 3. | maths an inexact number, relationship, or theory that is sufficiently accurate for a specific purpose |
| 4. | maths |
| a. an estimate of the value of some quantity to a desired degree of accuracy | |
| b. an expression in simpler terms than a given expression which approximates to it | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
approximation
1640s, "action of approximating," from L. approximare (see approximate). Meaning "result of approximating" is from 1650s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
approximation ap·prox·i·ma·tion (ə-prŏk'sə-mā'shən)
n.
Bringing tissue edges into desired apposition for suturing.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
His culture is used to shield him from an experience, or even an approximation, of the reality of injustices.
But it turns out that such random graphs are a poor approximation because they miss two important features.
It's a closer approximation than what was done previously.
But as a first approximation, it is still a reasonable practice.
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