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
With a steel roof and doors, and other body panels in aluminum, its aerodynamic design results in a low coefficient of drag with high downforce, while the absence of spoilers gives it a monolithic, sculptural shape that is imposing from every angle.
—
Robert Ross, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025
As measured by the Gini coefficient, which ranges from zero (a hypothetical situation in which every person has the same income) to one (a hypothetical situation in which one person receives all income), global inequality fell from 0.70 in 1988 to 0.67 in 2008 and then further to 0.62 in 2013.
—Branko Milanovic, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2020
Note that rolling resistance is not the same as the coefficient of friction between the tire and the runway surface, which prevents slipping, and is generally high.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 July 2014
The first coefficient ends up capturing the size of the denominators ruled out by the first fraction; the second coefficient captures the size of the denominators ruled out by the second fraction; and so on.
—Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coefficient
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Robert Ross, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025
As measured by the Gini coefficient, which ranges from zero (a hypothetical situation in which every person has the same income) to one (a hypothetical situation in which one person receives all income), global inequality fell from 0.70 in 1988 to 0.67 in 2008 and then further to 0.62 in 2013.
—Branko Milanovic, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2020
Note that rolling resistance is not the same as the coefficient of friction between the tire and the runway surface, which prevents slipping, and is generally high.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 July 2014
The first coefficient ends up capturing the size of the denominators ruled out by the first fraction; the second coefficient captures the size of the denominators ruled out by the second fraction; and so on.
—Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coefficient
Cite this Entry
“Coefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coefficient. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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