density

noun

den·​si·​ty ˈden(t)-sə-tē 

plural densities

1

: the quality or state of being dense

measures of traffic density

the density of the cake

felt that the candidate's density on the subject of equality was alarming

the density of her prose

2

mathematics : the quantity per unit of volume (see volume entry 1 sense 2), unit of area (see area sense 1), or unit of length: such as

a

chemistry : the mass (see mass entry 2 sense 1c) of a substance per unit of volume

pure iron has a density of 7.8 grams per cubic centimeter

b

chemistry : the distribution of a quantity (such as electricity or energy) per unit usually of space (such as length, area, or volume)

The drawback to using ethanol as a complete replacement for gasoline, however, is not only the high cost of its production from cellulose but also its lower energy density.

—John R. Regalbuto

c

: the average number of individuals or units per unit of space

a population density of 500 per square mile

a housing density of 10 houses per acre

3

physics

a

: the degree of opacity (see opacity sense 2) of a translucent medium

the fog's density

b

: the common logarithm of the opacity

Synonyms

• consistence
• consistency
• thickness
• viscidity
• viscosity

Examples of density in a Sentence

We were surprised by the fog's density.

the density of her writing style

These instruments are used for measuring the density of the atmosphere.

Recent Examples on the Web

The idea that a broader rethink of computing is needed may be gaining momentum as the industry runs into the difficulty of maintaining Moore’s law, the long-standing prediction that the density of components on chips continues shrinking. —Will Knight, WIRED, 18 Jan. 2024

What to Consider The firm density may feel intense for those who haven’t used a foam roller before. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2024

The difference between gel extensions and acrylic nail tips comes down to the polymerization process, ease of removal, and the extension's density, says nail artist and gel extension specialist Brittney Boyce. —Olivia Muenter, Allure, 8 Jan. 2024

The brush density provides a little bit of firmness, but the bristles still feel soft against the skin. —Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 3 Jan. 2024

As the crust evolved from oceanic to continental, its density was reduced, allowing Costa Rica and Panama to emerge from the sea. —Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2024

Greater densities will slow but not reverse this trend. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2023

Astronomers now think that galaxies were seeded by random fluctuations in the density of matter and energy during the Big Bang. —Dennis Overbye, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2024

Even with these advances, the technique still won’t be enough to practically improve the density of optical storage — at least not until it’s brought up to room temperature, Delord says. —IEEE Spectrum, 3 Jan. 2024

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Word History

Etymology

see dense

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing density

• high-density lipoprotein
• probability density function
• very low density lipoprotein
• density function
• probability density
• population density
• low-density lipoprotein

• high-density lipoprotein
• probability density function
• very low density lipoprotein
• density function
• probability density
• population density
• low-density lipoprotein

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Kids Definition

density

noun

den·​si·​ty ˈden(t)-sət-ē 

plural densities

1

: the quality or state of being dense

2

: the quantity of something per unit volume, unit area, or unit length: as

a

: the mass of a substance per unit volume

density expressed in grams per cubic centimeter

b

: the average number of individuals or units in a unit of area or volume

a population density of 500 per square mile

3

: stupidity sense 1

Medical Definition

density

noun

den·​si·​ty ˈden(t)-sət-ē, -stē 

plural densities

1

: the quantity per unit volume, unit area, or unit length: as

a

: the mass of a substance per unit volume

b

: the distribution of a quantity (as mass, electricity, or energy) per unit usually of space

c

: the average number of individuals or units per space unit

a population density of 500 per square mile

2

a

: the degree of opacity of a translucent medium

b

: absorbance