factor

1 of 2

noun

fac·​tor ˈfak-tər How to pronounce factor (audio)
1
: one who acts or transacts business for another: such as
b
: one that lends money to producers and dealers (as on the security of accounts receivable)
2
a(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
4
a
: 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
factorship noun

factor

2 of 2

verb

factored; factoring ˈfak-t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce factor (audio)

intransitive verb

: to work as a factor

transitive verb

1
: to resolve into factors
2
a
: 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
factorable 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
However, against Samford specifically, there were factors that attributed to the running back room’s struggles. Ainslie Lee | Alee@al.com, al, 18 Sep. 2023 Investigators have not yet determined whether alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash, CHP Officer Hunter Gerber said. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2023 What to Know About TV Stands Before Shopping TV Compatibility When shopping for the best TV stand, there are a few factors to consider. Rena Behar, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2023 How much your premium is depends on a variety of factors, including the age and condition of your home, the cost to rebuild it, and the location of the home. Sarah Raza, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023 And the rollercoaster nature of COVID-19 is providing ample opportunities for both. Lockdowns, furloughs, unemployment, periods without access to healthcare providers, and possible medication shortages are just some of the factors that can have a significant impact on daily life. Adrienne Dellwo, Verywell Health, 18 Sep. 2023 The study emphasizes that these nine factors are all deeply intertwined. Tara Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Sep. 2023 Oftentimes, administrators and researchers said, students may use rankings to prepare an initial list of potential matches, but make a final enrollment decision based on other factors — from a financial aid package to a dining hall’s breakfast-for-dinner buffet. Alan Blinder, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2023 Thanks to the ongoing writers and actors strikes in Hollywood, this year the celebrity factor was dialed way down. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 17 Sep. 2023
Verb
Prescribed burns are key to reducing the risks of fires growing to out-of-control infernos, and Jones would like to see insurers factor such risk reduction into their assessments. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023 Heat indexes — figures derived by factoring relative humidity into the air temperature — frequently soared into the 100s along the North Carolina coast. Emily Kask, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2023 The second estimate factored in greater consumer spending, government outlays and exports, compared with the initial estimate. Krystal Hur, CNN, 31 Aug. 2023 Design decisions will factor in considerations for astronauts who will eventually inhabit the Moon and stay in space potentially for months at a time–much longer than those who visited during the U.S. Apollo missions. Massimo Comparini, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2023 Those rebates were not factored into the selection of which medicines would be subject to negotiations. Rebecca Robbins, New York Times, 29 Aug. 2023 But defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has valued versatility in his lineups, and Simmons could factor into three-safety looks. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2023 His computer models, factoring in climate change and other ingredients, found that the type of storm that would dump 15.7 inches of rain (40 centimeters) on downtown Los Angeles used to have a one-in-108-year chance of happening, at least until 2010. Time, 22 Aug. 2023 For instance, a high-speed two-wheeler in Delhi may now cost just 15% to 20% more than its diesel-powered equivalent when factoring in federal and state subsidies, according to Bain, compared to up to 30% without subsidies. Michelle Toh, CNN, 22 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'factor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1621, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of factor was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near factor

Cite this Entry

“Factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/factor. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

factor

1 of 2 noun
fac·​tor ˈfak-tər How to pronounce factor (audio)
1
: one that buys or sells property for another : agent
2
: something that contributes to the production of a result
price wasn't a factor in our decision
3
: gene
4
: any of the numbers or symbols in mathematics that when multiplied together form a product
especially : a number that divides another number without leaving a remainder
the factors of 6 are 1, 2, 3, and 6

factor

2 of 2 verb
factored; factoring -t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce factor (audio)
1
: to find the mathematical factors of and especially the prime mathematical factors
2
: to act as a factor
attendance will factor into your grade
factorable adjective

Medical Definition

factor

noun
fac·​tor ˈfak-tər How to pronounce factor (audio)
1
a
: something that actively contributes to the production of a result
b
: a substance that functions in or promotes the function of a particular physiological process or bodily system
2
: gene
factorial adjective

Legal Definition

factor

noun
fac·​tor
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
Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin, doer, maker, agent, from Latin, maker, from facere to do, make

More from Merriam-Webster on factor

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