di·men·sion

[dih-men-shuhn, dahy-]
noun
1.
Mathematics.
a.
a property of space; extension in a given direction: A straight line has one dimension, a parallelogram has two dimensions, and a parallelepiped has three dimensions.
b.
the generalization of this property to spaces with curvilinear extension, as the surface of a sphere.
c.
the generalization of this property to vector spaces and to Hilbert space.
d.
the generalization of this property to fractals, which can have dimensions that are noninteger real numbers.
e.
extension in time: Space-time has three dimensions of space and one of time.
2.
Usually, dimensions.
a.
measurement in length, width, and thickness.
b.
scope; importance: the dimensions of a problem.
3.
unit ( def 6 ).
4.
magnitude; size: Matter has dimension.
5.
Topology.
a.
a magnitude that, independently or in conjunction with other such magnitudes, serves to define the location of an element within a given set, as of a point on a line, an object in a space, or an event in space-time.
b.
the number of elements in a finite basis of a given vector space.
6.
Physics. any of a set of basic kinds of quantity, as mass, length, and time, in terms of which all other kinds of quantity can be expressed; usually denoted by capital letters, with appropriate exponents, placed in brackets: The dimensions of velocity are [LT−1]. Compare dimensional analysis.
7.
dimensions, Informal. the measurements of a woman's bust, waist, and hips, in that order: The chorus girl's dimensions were 38-24-36.
8.
dimension lumber.
verb (used with object)
9.
to shape or fashion to the desired dimensions: Dimension the shelves so that they fit securely into the cabinet.
10.
to indicate the dimensions of an item, area, etc., on (a sketch or drawing).
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Origin:
1375–1425; late Middle English dimensioun (< Anglo-French) < Latin dīmēnsiōn- (stem of dīmēnsiō) a measuring, equivalent to dīmēns(us) measured out (past participle of dīmētīrī, equivalent to dī- di-2 + mētīrī to measure) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms
di·men·sion·al, adjective
di·men·sion·al·i·ty, noun
di·men·sion·al·ly, adverb
di·men·sion·less, adjective
mul·ti·di·men·sion·al, adjective
non·di·men·sioned, adjective
un·di·men·sioned, adjective

Synonyms
2b. range, extent, magnitude.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
dimension (dɪˈmɛnʃən) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n
1.  (often plural) a measurement of the size of something in a particular direction, such as the length, width, height, or diameter
2.  (often plural) scope; size; extent: a problem of enormous dimensions
3.  aspect: a new dimension to politics
4.  maths the number of coordinates required to locate a point in space
5.  physics
 a.  the product or the quotient of the fundamental physical quantities (such as mass, length, or time) raised to the appropriate power in a derived physical quantity: the dimensions of velocity are length divided by time
 b.  the power to which such a fundamental quantity has to be raised in a derived quantity
 
—vb
6.  chiefly (US) (tr)
 a.  to shape or cut to specified dimensions
 b.  to mark with specified dimensions
 
[C14: from Old French, from Latin dīmensiō an extent, from dīmētīrī to measure out, from mētīrī]
 
di'mensional
 
—adj
 
dimension'ality
 
—n
 
di'mensionally
 
—adv
 
di'mensionless
 
—adj

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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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

dimension
early 15c., from L. dimensionem (nom. dimensio), from stem of dimetri "to measure out," from dis- + metri "to measure." Related: Dimensional; dimensions.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

dimension di·men·sion (dĭ-měn'shən, dī-)
n.

  1. A measure of spatial extent, especially width, height, or length.

  2. Scope or magnitude.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
dimension   (dĭ-měn'shən)  Pronunciation Key 

    1. Any one of the three physical or spatial properties of length, area, and volume. In geometry, a point is said to have zero dimension; a figure having only length, such as a line, has one dimension; a plane or surface, two dimensions; and a figure having volume, three dimensions. The fourth dimension is often said to be time, as in the theory of General Relativity. Higher dimensions can be dealt with mathematically but cannot be represented visually.

    2. The measurement of a length, width, or thickness.

  2. A unit, such as mass, time, or charge, associated with a physical quantity and used as the basis for other measurements, such as acceleration.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
Saying it's a vehicle from another planet or dimension, is also speculative.
The article adds another interesting dimension to the motivation for choice of
  turf-spot.
The e-ingredient of an old-fashioned codex makes it possible to explore a new
  dimension of the past by capturing its sounds.
Measures that reach to mathematical infinities are found in nearly every
  dimension our finite-dichotomous mind can see.
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