noun
Common
density
DEHN-sih-tee
Density (noun) means a measure of how much mass or matter is packed into a given amount of space. Example: “Lead has a much higher density than aluminum.”
noun
1
A measure of how much mass or matter is packed into a given amount of space.
"Lead has a much higher density than aluminum."
"Scientists measured the density of the newly discovered material."
"Because of its low density, the wood floats easily on water."
2
The amount of people or things per unit of area.
"The city has one of the highest population densities in the country."
"The village has a low density of houses, with fields between them."
"Traffic is worse in areas with a high density of shops."
How to use density
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow tightly packed something is within a given space, whether that's matter, people, or objects.
Common pairings
population density
bone density
high density
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Word forms
- Plural
- densities
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Lead has a much higher _____ than aluminum.
Etymology
From Middle French densité, from Latin densitas, built on dense plus -ity.
Related words
Rhymes for density
See all rhymes for density →Frequently asked questions
What does “density” mean?
The word “density” means a measure of how much mass or matter is packed into a given amount of space. In plain terms, how tightly packed something is within a given space, whether that's matter, people, or objects.
How do you pronounce “density”?
“Density” is pronounced DEHN-sih-tee (/ˈdɛn.sə.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “density” in a sentence?
Here is “density” used in a sentence: “Lead has a much higher density than aluminum.”
What part of speech is “density”?
“Density” is a noun.
Where does the word “density” come from?
The word “density” comes from Latin. From Middle French densité, from Latin densitas, built on dense plus -ity.
Is “density” a common word?
“Density” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “density” have?
“Density” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a measure of how much mass or matter is packed into a given amount of space.
What is the difference between "density" and "mass"?
Mass is the total amount of matter in an object, while density is how much of that mass is packed into a given amount of space. Two objects can have the same mass but very different densities if they take up different volumes.
What is the difference between "density" and "weight"?
Weight is the force with which gravity pulls on an object, whereas density measures how much mass is contained in a given volume. A large, light object can weigh more than a small, dense one while still being less dense.
What is the difference between "density" and "volume"?
Volume is the amount of space an object occupies, while density is how much mass is packed into that space. Dividing an object's mass by its volume gives its density.
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