Word
matrices
Phoneticsma·tri·ces
US/ˈmeɪtɹɪsɪz/
UK/mˈeɪtɹɪsˌiːz/
Definitions
01mathematical grids
n. plural of matrix; grids of numbers or symbols arranged in rows and columns used to solve problems.
n. the plural of matrix in a mathematical context, referring to rectangular arrays of quantities or expressions treated as single entities.
“In linear algebra, we use matrices to represent transformations of space.”
“The algorithm efficiently multiplies large sparse matrices to determine the optimal path through the network.”
Academic · Technical
Usage
Always functions as a plural noun; the singular is 'matrix'.
Pitfall
The student calculated the two matrixes.
The student calculated the two matrices.
While 'matrixes' is occasionally seen, 'matrices' is the standard plural form in academic and technical English.
02surrounding environments
n. the social or physical environments in which something develops or is trapped.
n. the plural of matrix in a sociological or geological sense, denoting the surrounding substances or environments within which something originates or is embedded.
“The researchers studied the social matrices that influence how children learn.”
“The fossils were found embedded within dense sedimentary matrices, requiring delicate tools for extraction without causing damage.”
Academic · Formal
Teaching tip
This sense is highly formal; in everyday conversation, 'environments' or 'backgrounds' is much more common.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“To do so, we organized information from historical and archaeological literature into a model inspired by so-called social accounting matrices, a tool used to analyze contemporary economies," Haddad says.”