ENGLISH
REFERENCE

denominator

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //dɪˈnɑməˌneɪtɝ// UK //dɪnˈɒmɪnˌeɪtɐ// de·nom·i·na·tor

n. the bottom number in a fraction that shows how many equal parts something is divided into. It also describes a quality or interest that a group of people all share.

n. the number below the line in a common fraction, indicating the divisor. In a sociological context, it refers to a shared characteristic or standard within a group.


SIMPLE

In the fraction 3/4, the number 4 is the denominator.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher explained that you must find a common denominator before adding two different fractions together.

COMPLEX

The campaign sought a common denominator among the diverse voter base, eventually settling on economic stability as the primary message to unite the various factions.

Origin

Learned borrowing from Late Latin dēnōminātor (“that which names”).

Usage

Often used in the figurative phrase 'common denominator' to describe a shared trait among different things.

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