noun
Common
vector
VEHK-tuh
Vector (noun) means In math and physics, a quantity that has both a size (magnitude) and a direction. Example: “A wind of ten miles an hour from the north can be written as a vector.”
noun
1
In math and physics, a quantity that has both a size (magnitude) and a direction.
"A wind of ten miles an hour from the north can be written as a vector."
"Velocity is a vector because it includes both speed and direction."
"The physics teacher drew an arrow to represent the force vector."
2
An organism, especially an insect, that carries and transmits a disease from one host to another.
"Ticks can act as a vector for several illnesses in people and animals."
"Scientists study how a vector moves a virus from one host to the next."
"Mosquitoes are the main vector for malaria."
3
In computing, a resizable list of elements, or a piece of graphics defined by mathematical outlines rather than pixels.
"Unlike a photo, a vector image stays sharp however much you enlarge it."
"The programmer added each new score to a vector that grows as needed."
"The illustrator saved the logo as a vector file so it could scale to any size."
verb
1
To direct or guide something, especially an aircraft, toward a destination.
"The controller vectored the helicopter around the storm toward the nearest airfield."
"Pilots wait to be vectored toward the runway when the sky is busy."
"Air traffic control vectored the plane onto its final approach."
How to use vector
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething with direction and size (in math/physics), or a carrier that spreads disease.
Common mistake
In casual speech people sometimes use "vector" loosely to mean any direction or path, which blurs the precise math meaning.
Common pairings
disease vector
vector graphics
vector field
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like vector.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- vectors
- Third person singular
- vectors
- Past tense
- vectored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A wind of ten miles an hour from the north can be written as a _____.
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Latin vector ("carrier"), from vehere ("to carry") — the same root as "vehicle." The math sense was coined by Irish mathematician William Rowan Hamilton in 1846.
Class of 1846
vector joined the language around 1846.
See the full Class of 1846 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for vector
hector
rector
sector
ejector
Spector
director
detector
defector
injector
inspector
collector
protector
See all rhymes for vector →
Frequently asked questions
What does “vector” mean?
The word “vector” means in math and physics, a quantity that has both a size (magnitude) and a direction. In plain terms, something with direction and size (in math/physics), or a carrier that spreads disease.
How do you pronounce “vector”?
“Vector” is pronounced VEHK-tuh (/ˈvɛktɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “vector” in a sentence?
Here is “vector” used in a sentence: “Velocity is a vector because it includes both speed and direction.”
What part of speech is “vector”?
Depending on how it is used, “vector” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “vector” come from?
The word “vector” dates back to around 1846 and comes from Latin. A learned borrowing from Latin vector ("carrier"), from vehere ("to carry") — the same root as "vehicle." The math sense was coined by Irish mathematician William Rowan Hamilton in 1846.
Is “vector” a common word?
“Vector” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “vector” have?
“Vector” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in math and physics, a quantity that has both a size (magnitude) and a direction.
What is the difference between a vector and a scalar?
In math and physics, a vector is a quantity that has both a size (magnitude) and a direction, such as velocity or force. A scalar has magnitude only, such as temperature or mass. In short, a vector tells you how much and which way, while a scalar only tells you how much.
What is the difference between vector and raster graphics?
Vector graphics are defined by mathematical outlines, so they can be resized to any scale without losing sharpness. Raster graphics are made of a fixed grid of pixels, so they blur when enlarged. Logos and icons are typically drawn as vectors, while photographs are raster images.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include vector:
