Main Entry: ap·prox·i·ma·tion

Pronunciation: \ə-ˌpräk-sə-ˈmā-shən\

Function: noun

Date: 15th century

1 : the act or process of drawing together
2 : the quality or state of being close or near <an approximation to the truth> <an approximation of justice>
3 : something that is approximate; especially : a mathematical quantity that is close in value to but not the same as a desired quantity

— ap·prox·i·ma·tive \-ˈpräk-sə-ˌmā-tiv\ adjective