precision
prih-SIHZH-uhn
Precision (noun) means the quality of being exact and accurate. Example: “The surgeon operated with great precision and a very steady hand.”
noun
1
The quality of being exact and accurate.
"The surgeon operated with great precision and a very steady hand."
"Her writing has a precision that makes difficult ideas easy to follow."
"The watchmaker worked with incredible precision on the tiny gears."
2
How consistently repeated measurements agree with each other, whether or not they are correct.
"The scientists repeated the test to check the precision of their scales."
"High precision does not guarantee accuracy if the instrument is badly set up."
"The instrument showed good precision, giving nearly identical readings each time."
adjective
1
Designed for or characterized by exact measurement or accuracy.
"He bought a set of precision screwdrivers for repairing watches."
"The company makes precision instruments for use in hospitals."
"The factory uses precision tools to cut the metal parts."
How to use precision
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExactness — either in general, or in the technical sense of how consistent repeated results are.
Common mistake
In science, "precision" (consistency) is technically different from "accuracy" (correctness) — you can be precise but wrong every time.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
with precision
precision engineering
precision and accuracy
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Word forms
- Plural
- precisions
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The surgeon operated with great _____ and a very steady hand.
Etymology
From Latin praecisio, formed the same way as precise plus -ion.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
imprecision
Related words
Rhymes for precision
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for precision →
Frequently asked questions
What does “precision” mean?
The word “precision” means the quality of being exact and accurate. In plain terms, exactness — either in general, or in the technical sense of how consistent repeated results are.
How do you pronounce “precision”?
“Precision” is pronounced prih-SIHZH-uhn (/pɹɪˈsɪʒ.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “precision” in a sentence?
Here is “precision” used in a sentence: “The watchmaker worked with incredible precision on the tiny gears.”
What is another word for “precision”?
Words with a similar meaning to “precision” include exactitude.
What part of speech is “precision”?
Depending on how it is used, “precision” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “precision” come from?
The word “precision” comes from Latin. From Latin praecisio, formed the same way as precise plus -ion.
Is “precision” a common word?
“Precision” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “precision” have?
“Precision” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of being exact and accurate.
What is the difference between precision and accuracy?
In everyday English they overlap, but in science and measurement they are distinct: accuracy is how close a result is to the true value, while precision is how consistently repeated measurements agree with each other. Results can be precise but inaccurate — tightly clustered around the wrong value — or roughly accurate but imprecise.
What is a precision instrument?
A precision instrument is a tool designed for exact measurement or accuracy, built to very fine tolerances. In this use, precision works as a modifier, as in precision engineering and precision tools.
Is it correct to say "with precision"?
Yes: with precision is the standard collocation, as in "the manoeuvre was executed with precision". For emphasis, English commonly adds a modifier — with great precision, with pinpoint precision, with surgical precision.
What is the opposite of precision?
The direct opposite is imprecision. Depending on context, vagueness (of language), inaccuracy (of measurement), and sloppiness (of workmanship) all serve as opposites of precision.
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