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Definition of factor
1 : one who acts or transacts business for another: such asa : broker 1bb : 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 coagulationb : 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 1); also : a number or symbol that divides another number or symbolb : 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
From the M-W Editors
Examples of factor in a Sentence
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 of factor from the Web
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One of those factors is the surrounding environment.
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And aside from the cancer factor, some people are simply concerned that aluminum (and antiperspirants in general) keeps the body from sweating out toxins that need to be released.
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In an essay posted to The Players' Tribune, Hayward unsurprisingly cited his relationship with Stevens as a significant factor in his decision.
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Emily McKinley of the city's homicide unit said there are a lot of factors to consider, including allegations of frequent bullying from both sides.
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Tigers coaches believe Moultry can both play linebacker and be a factor as a pass rusher.
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Looking out further, many big institutions might have more flexibility to lend, a major factor in promoting the long-term growth of businesses.
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And there is still one unknown factor at play: Trump.
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Grant applications were re-evaluated based on factors including whether an organization had a track record of combatting violent extremism, the department said, and groups that didn’t were eliminated.
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.
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.
Origin and Etymology of factor
Middle English, from Middle French facteur, from Latin factor doer, from facere —see factitious
factor
Definition of factor
factored
;factoring
play \ˈfak-t(ə-)riŋ\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 calculationsb : to exclude as a factor —used with out
Recent Examples of factor from the Web
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When asked about the potential political blowback from Tuesday's China announcement, Joe Hinrichs, the company's executive vice president and president for global operations, declined to discuss what factored into the decision.
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The carrier declined to provide a projection on the revenue impact from the surcharges, but said it already was factored into its outlook.
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London police haven't said what role, if any, social media or information from the internet factored into Saturday night's attack that killed seven people.
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What the Yankees have loved, though, is his competitiveness and confidence, which factored into the decision to put Montgomery into the rotation, said the pitching coach Larry Rothschild.
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The challenge for families is to figure out what all those large irregular expenses are across the year and to factor those into their planning and set-aside accounts.
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Epstein also likes to factor in character, and Pillar was recently suspended two games for making a homophobic slur.
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Five years ago, American Airlines factored in on-time arrivals, lost baggage and consumer complaints to help calculate annual incentive payments for top management.
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The political turmoil in South Korea, which led to the eventual impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, may also have factored into North Korea's decision making, experts say.
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.
Origin and Etymology of factor
see 1factor
FACTOR Defined for English Language Learners
factor
playDefinition of factor for English Language Learners
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: something that helps produce or influence a result : one of the things that cause something to happen
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mathematics : a number that evenly divides a larger number
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: an amount by which another amount is multiplied or divided
factor
Definition of factor for English Language Learners
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: to consider or include (something) in making a judgment or calculation
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: to not consider or include (something) in making a judgment or calculation
FACTOR Defined for Kids
Definition of factor for Students
1 : something that helps produce a result Price was a factor in my decision.
2 : any of the numbers that when multiplied together form a product The factors of 6 are 1, 2, 3, and 6.
Definition of factor for Students
factored
;factoring
1 : to be considered in making a judgment Class participation will factor into your grade.
2 : to find the factors of a number
Medical Dictionary
Law Dictionary
factor
Legal Definition of factor
1 : one who acts or transacts business for another: as a : a commercial agent who buys or sells goods for others on commission b : one that lends money to producers and dealers (as on the security of accounts receivable)
2 : a person or thing that actively contributes to the production of a result a difference in salary based on a factor other than sex
Origin and Etymology of factor
Medieval Latin, doer, maker, agent, from Latin, maker, from facere to do, make
Learn More about factor
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See words that rhyme with factor Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for factor Spanish Central: Translation of factor Nglish: Translation of factor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of factor for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about factor
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