factor

noun

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fac·tor | \ ˈfak-tər

Definition of factor

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : one who acts or transacts business for another: such as

a : broker sense 1b

b : one that lends money to producers and dealers (as on the security of accounts receivable)

2a(1) : one that actively contributes to the production of a result : ingredient price wasn't a factor in the decision

(2) : a substance that functions in or promotes the function of a particular physiological process or bodily system a clotting factor that facilitates blood coagulation

b : a good or service (such as land, labor, or capital) used in the process of production

3 : gene

4a : any of the numbers or symbols in mathematics that when multiplied together form a product (see product sense 1) also : a number or symbol that divides another number or symbol

b : a quantity by which a given quantity is multiplied or divided in order to indicate a difference in measurement costs increased by a factor of 10

factor

verb

factored; factoring\ ˈfak-t(ə-)riŋ

Definition of factor (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to work as a factor

transitive verb

1 : to resolve into factors

2a : to include or admit as a factor —used with in or into factor inflation into our calculations

b : to exclude as a factor —used with out

Other Words from factor Synonyms & Antonyms Did you know? Example Sentences Phrases Containing factor Learn More About factor

Other Words from factor

Noun

factorship \ ˈfak-tər-ˌship

\ noun

Verb

factorable \ ˈfak-t(ə-)rə-bəl

\ adjective

Did you know?

In Latin factor means simply "doer". So in English a factor is an "actor" or element or ingredient in some situation or quantity. Charm can be a factor in someone's success, and lack of exercise can be a factor in producing a poor physique. In math we use factor to mean a number that can be multiplied or divided to produce a given number (for example, 5 and 8 are factors of 40). And in biology a gene may be called a factor, since genes are ingredients in the total organism.

Examples of factor in a Sentence

Noun There were several factors contributing to their recent decline. Poor planning was a major factor in the company's failure. 6, 4, 3, and 2 are factors of 12.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Speed or impairment are not believed to be a factor in the collision, police said. — Brock Blasdell, The Arizona Republic, 11 May 2022 That lack of postseason success was a factor in his decision to request a trade. — Omari Sankofa Ii, Detroit Free Press, 11 May 2022 Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a contributing factor to the accident, troopers said. — Anchorage Daily News, 10 May 2022 Make the change by publishing HR policies explicitly stating that hairstyle is not a factor in hiring or promotion. — The most impactful way to demonstrate support for authenticity is to demonstrate your own. — Washington Post, 10 May 2022 Calhoun believes this new era of free agency was a contributing factor in the retirements of iconic coaches Mike Krzyzewski and Jay Wright. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 6 May 2022 That procedure might also have been a contributing factor to his eventual death. — Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 5 May 2022 The pandemic was certainly a contributing factor in the growing appeal of wellness design and spa bathrooms, the plumber and designer agree. — Jamie Gold, Forbes, 3 May 2022 Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash, police said. — Kaylee Remington, cleveland, 23 Apr. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb One tip for alleviating this potential drawback is always to factor out non-repeatable anomalies, like one-time synchronization licensing, settlement and catch-up payments. — Elan Jacoby, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2022 He's currently coupled up with Kim Kardashian, which begs the question…are these ladies gonna factor into Bupkis? — Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 27 Apr. 2022 White put up stellar numbers in his two seasons with the Sun Devils with his ability to factor in the passing game also in his favor. — Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 27 Apr. 2022 The results of people taking tests at home are unlikely to factor into what clinics, hospitals, and urgent care centers report. — Colin Lodewick, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2022 The message is that Republicans can, and likely should, rank more than one candidate in the general elections — because ranking just one means that their vote won’t factor into the final results if their top choice is eliminated in the first count. — Nathaniel Herz, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Apr. 2022 Be sure to factor in variables such as your experience, job duties, and education. — Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2022 For payers, the payer price transparency rulewould mean that shared savings with consumers would factor into medical loss ratios. — Jackleen Samuel, Forbes, 22 Apr. 2022 When looking for a name for your baby boy, one thing that will definitely factor into your decision is the popularity of the name. — Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 15 Apr. 2022 See More

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

History and Etymology for factor

Noun

Middle English factour "doer, perpetrator, commercial agent," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin factor "maker, creator, perpetrator" (Medieval Latin, "commercial agent, broker"), from fac-, stem of facere "to make, bring about, perform, do" + -tor, agent suffix — more at fact

Verb

verbal derivative of factor entry 1