Word
dimension
Phoneticsdi·men·sion, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈmɛnʃən/
UK/daɪmˈɛnʃən/
Definitions
01measurement
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a measurement of something in one direction, such as its height, width, or length.
n. a measure of spatial extent in a particular direction, typically height, width, or depth.
“We need to know the exact dimensions of the room before we buy a new sofa.”
“The architect specified the precise dimensions of the structural beams to ensure the roof could support the weight of the winter snow.”
Usage
Often used in the plural when referring to the overall size of an object.
Synonyms
02aspect or feature
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic
n. a particular part or feature of a situation.
n. a distinct component or aspect of a situation, problem, or concept.
“The new law adds a political dimension to the environmental debate.”
“The discovery of the ancient manuscript adds an entirely new dimension to our understanding of early trade routes in the region.”
03physics and math
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical
n. the number of coordinates needed to find a point in space, like 3D.
n. the number of independent coordinates required to uniquely specify a point within a mathematical space.
“In physics, time is often described as the fourth dimension.”
“The algorithm operates in a high-dimensional space, processing hundreds of variables simultaneously to predict market fluctuations.”
Synonyms
04computing
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Computing Technical
n. one of the ranges used to organize data in a large table or array.
n. any of the independent ranges of indices in a multidimensional array or data structure.
“The programmer defined a three-dimensional array to store the weather data.”
“When the dataset grew too large, the engineers had to reduce the number of dimensions to improve the processing speed of the neural network.”
05parallel world
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a different world or plane of existence, often in science fiction stories.
n. a hypothetical or fictional plane of existence or parallel universe.
“In the movie, the hero travels to another dimension to save his family.”
“The science fiction novel explores the terrifying possibility of creatures crossing over from a parallel dimension into our own.”
06to set size
C2 · Proficiency Technology Formal · Technical
v. to give something a specific size or to mark its measurements.
v. to specify the size of a data structure or to shape a physical object to specific measurements.
“The engineer had to dimension the parts carefully so they would fit together.”
“The software allows users to dimension the architectural drawing automatically, ensuring all labels match the scale of the model.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dimension” in context.
Verb
01. add dimension
“The new evidence will add a whole new dimension to the ongoing investigation.”
verb + noun
02. measure dimension
“The architect needs to measure every dimension of the room before designing the furniture.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. important dimension
“Cultural sensitivity is an important dimension of international business relations.”
adj + noun
04. multiple dimension
“The theory suggests that the universe may exist across multiple dimensions.”
adj + noun
05. various dimension
“We must consider the various dimensions of the problem before reaching a final decision.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“The university publicised the symbolic dimensions of his appointment as a young, black, neurodivergent man .” “Intrigued by the vague mixture of menace and nostalgia that the image evoked, internet users began sharing stories and speculating that the Backrooms is a hidden dimension into which people might accidentally find themselves.” “It tracks outcomes across four cohorts of incoming first-year international students and shows consistent improvement across nearly every measured dimension.” “It was generalised to any number of dimensions by German mathematician Ott-Heinrich Keller in 1939.” Etymology
From Latin dīmēnsiō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/dimension