parameter
n.-
1 limits or boundaries (n.) C1 Advanced Academica limit or rule that controls how something should be done.
a numerical or other measurable factor forming one of a set that defines a system or sets the conditions of its operation; often used in the plural to denote boundaries.
ExampleThe researchers had to work within the strict parameters set by the government grant.
ExampleThe legal team spent weeks defining the parameters of the contract to ensure that every possible contingency was covered by the new regulations.
UsageCommonly used in the plural form 'parameters' when referring to general guidelines or constraints.
PitfallWe need to stay within the perimeters of the budget.We need to stay within the parameters of the budget.Learners often confuse 'parameter' (a rule or limit) with 'perimeter' (the outer edge of a physical area).
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2 Computing (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Computinga piece of information that you give to a computer program or function so it can do its work.
a named variable in a function definition that acts as a placeholder for the argument passed to the function during execution.
ExampleThis function requires two parameters: the user's name and their age.
ExampleThe developer modified the API to accept an optional parameter, allowing users to filter the search results by date or relevance.
UsageIn strict technical contexts, a 'parameter' is the variable defined in the function, while an 'argument' is the actual value passed to it.
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3 Statistics/Science (n.) C1 Advanced Academic Technical Sciencea fixed value that describes a specific part of a population or system.
a quantity that is constant in a particular case but varies in others; specifically, a numerical characteristic of a population.
ExampleThe study measured several parameters, including heart rate and blood pressure.
ExampleIn this statistical model, the population mean is the primary parameter we are attempting to estimate through random sampling.
From French paramètre, from New Latin parametrum (“parameter”), from Ancient Greek παρα- (para-, “beside”) + μέτρον (métron, “measure”).