coefficient

noun

co·ef·fi·cient | \ ˌkō-ə-ˈfi-shənt

Definition of coefficient

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

2a : 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

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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 As Mercedes continues to fine-tune the production model, engineers are not yet ready to offer a curb weight, coefficient of drag, or range figure. — Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, 19 Apr. 2022 These efforts lower the coefficient of drag from the 0.31 clocked by the GLB 250 4Matic to 0.28. — Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, 15 Apr. 2022 The Air has several interesting aerodynamic elements—from a slight curvature to the underside of its battery pack to the passages through the hood—that aid both its impressively low 0.21 coefficient of drag as well as high-speed stability. — Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, 24 Mar. 2022 Developing a respectable 148 hp, the 2000 GT has a top speed of 137 mph, thanks in part to only a 0.28 coefficient of drag. — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2022 In fact, the Air Dream Edition shares the title of the world’s most slippery production car, equal to the Mercedes-Benz EQS with a mere .20 coefficient of drag. — Nicolas Stecher, Robb Report, 19 Feb. 2022 The effect was very small, with a coefficient of 0.03 indication that VO2 max was 16 times better at predicting performance. — Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2022 The biggest predictor, not surprisingly, was VO2 max, which had a coefficient of 0.48. — Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2022 Meanwhile, the country's R coefficient -- the number of people infected by each person with Covid-19 -- jumped to 1.22, its highest level since August. — Andrew Carey, Elliot Williams And Hadas Gold, CNN, 21 Dec. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coefficient.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near coefficient

coeff

coefficient

coefficient of compressibility

Statistics for coefficient

Last Updated

1 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Coefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coefficient. Accessed 17 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for coefficient

coefficient

noun

co·ef·fi·cient | \ ˌkō-ə-ˈfish-ənt

Medical Definition of coefficient

: 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