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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

dimension

deye-MEHN-shuhn
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Dimension (noun) means a measurable extent of something, such as its length, width, height, or depth. Example: “Measure the dimensions of the doorway before you buy the new wardrobe.”

noun
1
A measurable extent of something, such as its length, width, height, or depth.
"Measure the dimensions of the doorway before you buy the new wardrobe."
"Please send us the dimensions of the package before shipping."
"The room's dimensions made it too small for a king-size bed."
2
An aspect or facet of a situation or issue.
"Cost is only one dimension of the problem; safety matters just as much."
"The documentary explores the human dimension of the housing shortage."
"The scandal added a political dimension to what had been a simple business story."
3
In physics or math, one of the independent directions or coordinates needed to describe a space.
"A line has one dimension, whereas a flat sheet of paper has two."
"Many science fiction stories imagine travelling into a fourth dimension."
"A cube exists in three dimensions, while a square exists in two."

How to use dimension

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA measurement of size, or, more broadly, one particular angle or side of something complicated.

Common pairings
physical dimensions new dimension third dimension
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Word forms

Plural
dimensions
Third person singular
dimensions
Past tense
dimensioned
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Measure the _____ of the doorway before you buy the new wardrobe.

Etymology

From Latin "dīmēnsiō", "a measuring out", from "dīmētior", "to measure".

Origin: Latin

measurement extent proportion magnitude aspect facet attribute property construct whereby objects individuals can be distinguished

Related words

Rhymes for dimension

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Frequently asked questions

What does “dimension” mean?
The word “dimension” means a measurable extent of something, such as its length, width, height, or depth. In plain terms, a measurement of size, or, more broadly, one particular angle or side of something complicated.
How do you pronounce “dimension”?
“Dimension” is pronounced deye-MEHN-shuhn (/dɪˈmɛn.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “dimension” in a sentence?
Here is “dimension” used in a sentence: “Please send us the dimensions of the package before shipping.”
What is another word for “dimension”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dimension” include construct whereby objects and individuals can be distinguished.
What part of speech is “dimension”?
“Dimension” is a noun.
Where does the word “dimension” come from?
The word “dimension” comes from Latin. From Latin "dīmēnsiō", "a measuring out", from "dīmētior", "to measure".
Is “dimension” a common word?
“Dimension” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “dimension” have?
“Dimension” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a measurable extent of something, such as its length, width, height, or depth.
What are the dimensions of an object?
The dimensions of an object are its measurable extents, most commonly its length, width, and height or depth. Giving an object's dimensions means stating these measurements, as in "the box's dimensions are 30 by 20 by 10 inches."
What is the difference between dimension and measurement?
A dimension is a measurable extent of something, such as its length, width, height, or depth, while a measurement is the act of measuring or the figure you obtain. The dimensions of a table are properties of the table itself; the measurements are the numbers you record when you measure them.

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