A matrix is the environment or context in which something such as a society develops and grows.
[formal]
...the matrix of their culture.
2. countable noun
In mathematics, a matrix is an arrangement of numbers, symbols, or letters in rows and columns which is used in solving mathematical problems.
matrix in British English
(ˈmeɪtrɪks, ˈmæ-)
nounWord forms: pluralmatrices (ˈmeɪtrɪˌsiːz, ˈmæ-) or matrixes
1.
a substance, situation, or environment in which something has its origin, takes form, or is enclosed
2. anatomy
the thick tissue at the base of a nail from which a fingernail or toenail develops
3.
the intercellular substance of bone, cartilage, connective tissue, etc
4.
a.
the rock material in which fossils, pebbles, etc, are embedded
b.
the material in which a mineral is embedded; gangue
5. printing
a.
a metal mould for casting type
b.
a papier-mâché or plastic mould impressed from the forme and used for stereotyping
Sometimes shortened to: mat
6.
(formerly) a mould used in the production of gramophone records. It is obtained by electrodeposition onto the master
7.
a bed of perforated material placed beneath a workpiece in a press or stamping machine against which the punch operates
8. metallurgy
a.
the shaped cathode used in electroforming
b.
the metal constituting the major part of an alloy
c.
the soft metal in a plain bearing in which the hard particles of surface metal are embedded
9.
the main component of a composite material, such as the plastic in a fibre-reinforced plastic
10. mathematics
a rectangular array of elements set out in rows and columns, used to facilitate the solution of problems, such as the transformation of coordinates. Usually indicated by parentheses: (adbecf)
Compare determinant (sense 3)
11. linguistics
the main clause of a complex sentence
12. computing
a rectangular array of circuit elements usually used to generate one set of signals from another
13. obsolete
the womb
Word origin
C16: from Latin: womb, female animal used for breeding, from māter mother
matrix in American English
(ˈmeɪˌtrɪks)
nounWord forms: pluralˈmatriˌces (ˈmeɪtrəˌsiz; ˈmætrəˌsizˈ) or ˈmaˌtrixes
1. Archaic
the womb; uterus
2.
that within which, or within and from which, something originates, takes form, or develops
; specif.,
a.
a die or mold for casting or shaping
b.
an impression from which a large number of phonograph records can be duplicated
3. Anatomy
a.
any nonliving, intercellular substance in which living cells are embedded, as in bone, cartilage,etc.
b.
the formative cells from which a nail, tooth, etc. grows
4. Electronics
a process in which several signals are combined for transmission or recording and then separated for reception or playback
5. Geology
the rock or earthy material in which a crystal, pebble, fossil, etc. is enclosed or embedded
6. Linguistics
a main or independent clause
7. Ancient Mathematics
a set of numbers or terms arranged in rows and columns between parentheses or double lines
8. Printing
a.
a metal mold for casting the face of type
b.
a papier-mâché, plaster, or similar impression of type, etc., from which a plate can be made, as in stereotypy
Word origin
LL, womb, public register, origin < L, breeding animal < mater (gen. matris), mother1
Examples of 'matrix' in a sentence
matrix
What is the payoff matrix in a game?
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
The payoff matrix is a simple way of showing such interaction.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
The payoff matrix for these two firms is shown below.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
The four cells of the matrix represent the payoffs from the choices made by both commanders.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
A blank matrix is provided for you to plot your own pattern.
Christianity Today (2000)
A payoff matrix shows the gain or loss to each player for each choice made by that player and by other players.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
And the design of the fashion matrix was baffling - it's hard to know which stuff the editor likes from the position on the page.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
matrix
British English: matrix NOUN
A matrix is the environment or context in which something such as a society develops and grows.