tensor

noun

ten·​sor ˈten(t)-sər  ˈten-ˌsȯr 

1

: a muscle that stretches a part

2

: a generalized vector with more than three components each of which is a function of the coordinates of an arbitrary point in space of an appropriate number of dimensions

Examples of tensor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are several different ways to describe a manifold’s curvature using tensors, but one of the most important is something called the Ricci tensor. —Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 14 May 2024

Once these have been found, the second stage is to work out whether the stress-energy tensors are physically realistic. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024

In Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which casts gravitational attraction as objects following curves in space-time, the energy-momentum tensor tells space-time how to bend. —Charlie Wood, WIRED, 14 Apr. 2024

On the other hand, Luria noted that Google is already selling services run on its TPUs, or tensor processing units. —Laura Bratton, Quartz, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from Latin tendere "to extend outward, stretch, draw tight" + -tor, agent suffix — more at tender entry 3

First Known Use

circa 1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tensor

noun

ten·​sor ˈten(t)-sər  ˈten-ˌsȯ(ə)r 

: a muscle that stretches a part

Medical Definition

tensor

noun

ten·​sor ˈten(t)-sər  ˈten-ˌsȯ(ə)r 

: a muscle that stretches a part or makes it tense

called also tensor muscle