magnitude

noun

mag·​ni·​tude ˈmag-nə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

1

a

: great size or extent

cannot wage a war of such magnitude

—A. N. Whitehead

the magnitude of an earthquake

b(1)

: spatial quality : size

able to operate only over distances of very small magnitude

—G. W. Gray

(2)

: quantity, number

the savings in amounts of metal … will be of dramatically significant magnitudes

—American Fabrics

2

: the importance, quality, or caliber of something

evil of such magnitude as must, if possible, be prevented

—Jane Austen

a writer of first magnitude

—Richard Plant

3

: a number representing the intrinsic (see intrinsic sense 1a) or apparent brightness of a celestial (see celestial entry 1 sense 2) body on a logarithmic scale in which an increase of one unit corresponds to a reduction in the brightness of light by a factor of 2.512

4

: a numerical quantitative measure expressed usually as a multiple of a standard unit

5

: the intensity of an earthquake represented by a number on an arbitrary scale

a magnitude six earthquake

Synonyms

• account
• consequence
• import
• importance
• moment
• momentousness
• significance
• weight
• weightiness

Examples of magnitude in a Sentence

the magnitude of the issue can scarcely be overstated

the mountain's sheer magnitude usually leaves tourists speechless

Recent Examples on the Web

The sheer magnitude of the eruption sent volcanic material high into the stratosphere, creating an ash cloud that blanketed the skies and dispersed across the globe. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

For example, when the tour went live in Glendale, Arizona, before anyone knew the magnitude and magic of the show, the average price was $529. —Bryan West, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024

First came the rattling from a magnitude 7 underwater earthquake off the coast of Humboldt County just before 10:45 a.m. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

How the Earthquake Struck California The earthquake, centered in Northern California, registered a magnitude of 7.0 according to the U.S. Geological Survey. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin magnitudo, from magnus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing magnitude

• absolute magnitude
• apparent magnitude
• order of magnitude

Kids Definition

magnitude

noun

mag·​ni·​tude ˈmag-nə-ˌt(y)üd 

1

a

: great size or extent : bigness

b

: size entry 1 sense 1

2

: the importance of something in influence or effect

3

: degree of brightness

especially : a number representing the brightness of a star

4

: the intensity of an earthquake represented by a number on a scale

Medical Definition

magnitude

noun

mag·​ni·​tude ˈmag-nə-ˌt(y)üd 

: relative size or extent