ENGLISH
REFERENCE

density

n. C / U
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈdɛnsəti// UK //dˈɛnsɪti// den·si·ty

n. how much mass or how many things are packed into a certain amount of space. If something has high density, it is very heavy for its size or very crowded.

n. the degree of compactness of a substance or population. In physics, it refers to mass per unit volume; in social sciences, it refers to the number of individuals per unit area.


SIMPLE

Lead has a much higher density than wood.

CONTEXTUAL

The city center has a high population density because thousands of people live in a very small area.

COMPLEX

By measuring the density of the unknown liquid and comparing it to known values, the chemist was able to identify the substance as pure ethanol.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French densité or Latin densitas. Morphologically dense + -ity.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general property of being dense; countable when referring to a specific measurement or mathematical value.

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