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.
the generalization of this property to spaces with curvilinear extension, as the surface of a sphere.
the generalization of this property to vector spaces and to Hilbert space.
the generalization of this property to fractals, which can have dimensions that are noninteger real numbers.
extension in time: Space-time has three dimensions of space and one of time.
Usually dimensions.
measurement in length, width, and thickness.
scope; importance: the dimensions of a problem.
unit (def. 6).
magnitude; size: Matter has dimension.
Topology.
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.
the number of elements in a finite basis of a given vector space.
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.
dimensions,Informal. the measurements of a woman's bust, waist, and hips, in that order: The chorus girl's dimensions were 38-24-36.
dimension lumber.
verb (used with object)
to shape or fashion to the desired dimensions: Dimension the shelves so that they fit securely into the cabinet.
to indicate the dimensions of an item, area, etc., on (a sketch or drawing).
Origin of dimension
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
But the comedic genius was wrong; success in most dimensions of the human enterprise is showing up at the right time.
Why We Should Delay The Israel-Palestinian Peace Process|Aaron David Miller|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Universe we inhabit seems to be four-dimensional: the three dimensions of height, length, and depth, along with time.
Is the Cosmos Just a Big Hologram?|Matthew R. Francis|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It may well be that the truth in all its dimensions is too difficult for the current generation to confront.
Exchanging Stories of Trauma|Mark Baker|August 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
No one can predict the direction or dimensions of robotics a decade from now.
Robotic Technologies Could Aggravate the U.S. Problem of Slow Jobs Growth|Robert Shapiro|July 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It was a very emotional, hard experience to listen to utter grief—the dimensions of the tragedy and the voices of those ladies.
Oklahoma Tornado Tests Gov. Mary Fallin, and She’s Emerging a Star|Lloyd Grove|May 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They shall in every respect conform accurately to drawing and dimensions furnished and shall be free from burrs.
Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Vol. LXX, Dec. 1910|Various
With a tube of the dimensions given this is a very simple affair.
On Laboratory Arts|Richard Threlfall
For example, in a complete round of artillery ammunition, 80 dimensions must be gauged.
America's Munitions 1917-1918|Benedict Crowell
These dimensions are large for European pines, about averaging those of the Norwegian.
Rambles in the Islands of Corsica and Sardinia|Thomas Forester
In addition to fixing the capacities of these standard baskets of this type, the law also prescribes their dimensions.
Trees, Fruits and Flowers of Minnesota, 1916|Various
British Dictionary definitions for dimension
dimension
/ (dɪˈmɛnʃən) /
noun
(often plural)a measurement of the size of something in a particular direction, such as the length, width, height, or diameter
(often plural)scope; size; extenta problem of enormous dimensions
aspecta new dimension to politics
mathsthe number of coordinates required to locate a point in space
physics
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 quantitythe dimensions of velocity are length divided by time
the power to which such a fundamental quantity has to be raised in a derived quantity
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.
The measurement of a length, width, or thickness.
A unit, such as mass, time, or charge, associated with a physical quantity and used as the basis for other measurements, such as acceleration.