coefficient

noun

co·​ef·​fi·​cient ˌkō-ə-ˈfi-shənt How to pronounce coefficient (audio)
Synonyms of coefficientnext
1
: any of the factors of a product considered in relation to a specific factor
especially : a constant factor of a term as distinguished from a variable
2
a
: a number that serves as a measure of some property or characteristic (as of a substance, device, or process)
coefficient of expansion of a metal
b
: measure

Examples of coefficient in a Sentence

5 is the coefficient of y in the term 5y. the metal's coefficient of expansion
Recent Examples on the Web People are voting with their feet, and this is the hollowing out of the middle class that puts us on track to maintain our high Gini coefficient — income inequality. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024 Tesla claims the truck has a coefficient of drag of just 0.34, which is significantly better than a JL-generation Jeep Wrangler’s 0.48, but significantly worse than the company’s own Model 3 at 0.23. —Bradley Brownell / Jalopnik, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 Going by the European governing body UEFA’s algorithms, Spain’s coefficient only trails the Premier League, with this grade based on how its top clubs perform in continental tournaments. —Henry Flynn, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Radius of gyration, coefficient of restitution and other obscure forces cause tethered pins to fly around differently than their free-fall counterparts. —David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2023 With Italy leading the UEFA coefficient rankings, that could mean qualification for next season’s 2024-25 UCL, with the top two UEFA leagues receiving five spots instead of four. —David Ferrini, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 The previously negative coefficient, a marker of the remote work disadvantage, not only zeroes out but takes a surprising leap into positive territory. —Gleb Tsipursky, Fortune, 3 Jan. 2024 According to a standard called the Gini coefficient—where 0 is perfect equality and 1 is complete inequality—the US scores poorly for a rich country, at 0.38 on the scale, beaten out by Norway (0.29) and Switzerland (0.32) but better than Mexico (0.42). —WIRED, 21 Oct. 2023 Another important factor is to understand the friction coefficient of tile. —Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coefficient.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin coefficient-, coefficiens, from Latin co- + efficient-, efficiens efficient

First Known Use

circa 1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coefficient was circa 1715

Phrases Containing coefficient

Dictionary Entries Near coefficient

coeff

coefficient

coefficient of compressibility

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Coefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coefficient. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

coefficient

noun
co·​ef·​fi·​cient ˌkō-ə-ˈfish-ənt How to pronounce coefficient (audio)
1
: a number or symbol by which another number or symbol (as a mathematical variable) is multiplied
3 is the coefficient of x in the expression 3x
2
: a number that serves as a measure of some property (as of a substance or device)
the metal's coefficient of expansion

Medical Definition

coefficient

noun
co·​ef·​fi·​cient ˌkō-ə-ˈfish-ənt How to pronounce coefficient (audio)
: a number that serves as a measure of some property (as of a substance) or characteristic (as of a device or process) and that is commonly used as a factor in computations
the coefficient of expansion of a metal
see absorption coefficient
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