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 together2: 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