coefficient

noun

co·​ef·​fi·​cient ˌkō-ə-ˈfi-shənt 

1

: any of the factors of a product considered in relation to a specific factor

especially : a constant factor of a term as distinguished from a variable

2

a

: a number that serves as a measure of some property or characteristic (as of a substance, device, or process)

coefficient of expansion of a metal

b

: measure

Examples of coefficient in a Sentence

5 is the coefficient of y in the term 5y.

the metal's coefficient of expansion

Recent Examples on the Web

Now remember, the frictional force is the normal force times the coefficient of friction (Ff = μN). —Rhett Allain, WIRED, 20 Sep. 2024

Quartz is a chemically very stable mineral with an extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion. —David Bressan, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Predictability measures how closely that history tracks an exponential line (the statistician’s coefficient of determination), with a penalty for missing years. —William Baldwin, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024

However, understanding the impact of pricing decisions is impossible without true elasticity coefficients. —Aleksandr Galkin, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin coefficient-, coefficiens, from Latin co- + efficient-, efficiens efficient

First Known Use

circa 1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing coefficient

• binomial coefficient
• coefficient of correlation
• coefficient of viscosity
• correlation coefficient
• drag coefficient
• extinction coefficient

Kids Definition

coefficient

noun

co·​ef·​fi·​cient ˌkō-ə-ˈfish-ənt 

1

: a number or symbol by which another number or symbol (as a mathematical variable) is multiplied

3 is the coefficient of x in the expression 3x

2

: a number that serves as a measure of some property (as of a substance or device)

the metal's coefficient of expansion

Medical Definition

coefficient

noun

co·​ef·​fi·​cient ˌkō-ə-ˈfish-ənt 

: a number that serves as a measure of some property (as of a substance) or characteristic (as of a device or process) and that is commonly used as a factor in computations

the coefficient of expansion of a metal

see absorption coefficient