factor

play

noun fac·tor \ ˈfak-tər \

Updated on: 26 Jul 2017

Definition of factor

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

a :broker 1b

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 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

play \ˈfak-tər-ˌship\ noun

See factor defined for English-language learners

See factor defined for kids

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

However, recent research indicates that factors outside the ocean may also trigger changes in the AMO.

— julia rosen, Science | AAAS, "Human influence may prolong ocean cycle that gave birth to Harvey," 29 Aug. 2017
Neither drugs nor alcohol was a factor in the collision, police said.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Motorcyclist's leg nearly severed in Paradise Hills crash," 28 Aug. 2017
Scores and highlights may be emailed to posttribsports@gmail.com Note: Schedules are subject to change because of weather and other factors.

— Post-Tribune, "Post-Tribune Local Scoreboard for Monday, Aug. 28," 27 Aug. 2017
The overwhelming drive to score, do my best, win was triggered by the factors that made it even harder to do so.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "VS Fashion Show 2017 Lineup: Kendall Jenner, Gigi, and Bella Hadid Are Currently Missing," 26 Aug. 2017
Scores and highlights may be emailed to tribwestsports@gmail.com Note: Schedules are subject to change because of weather and other factors.

— Naperville Sun, "West Suburban Local Scoreboard for Sunday, Aug. 27," 26 Aug. 2017
That isn't a factor for most aircraft, which endeavor to stay far away from the ground during the vast majority of their flying hours.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Russia Is Making a New Flying "Sea Monster" to Skim the Surface of Water," 24 Aug. 2017
Medicare pays hospitals a lump sum for a patient’s stay based on the nature of the admission and other factors.

— Cincinnati.com, "Under Trump, Tristate hospitals face same penalties embraced by Obama," 21 Aug. 2017
Lorin Ditzler, 33 Des Moines, Iowa Ditzler is frustrated that her insurance coverage may be a deciding factor in her family planning.

— anna gorman, Kaiser Health News, "Often Missing In The Health Care Debate: Women’s Voices," 17 Aug. 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

factor Synonyms

Synonyms

assignee, attorney, commissary, delegate, deputy, envoy, agent, minister, procurator, proxy, rep, representative

Antonyms

whole

Near Antonyms

aggregate, composite, compound, mass; entirety, sum, summation, total, totality; admixture, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, combination, intermixture, mix, mixture

factor

verb

Definition of factor

factored; factoring play \ˈfak-t(ə-)riŋ\

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

play \ˈfak-t(ə-)rə-bəl\ adjective

See factor defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of factor from the Web

Instead of factoring in the social costs of social media, though, Facebook remains committed solely to growth and monetization.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "When Is an Internet Company Evil?," 29 Aug. 2017
When the team factored out the effects of weight and age in the two modern groups, knee arthritis was still more than twice as common in the group of people who died after 1976, suggesting other factors are involved.

— mitch leslie, Science | AAAS, "Knee arthritis in Americans has doubled since 1940," 14 Aug. 2017
The cat owners appeared healthier than people without pets, but the difference went away when the researchers factored in that the cat owners were likely to be healthy for other reasons, mostly bearing on socioeconomic status.

— james hamblin, The Atlantic, "Cats Are Not Medicine," 10 Aug. 2017
Many utilities see such moves as an existential threat because their profits come mainly from getting a set rate of return that is factored into customer rates.

— diane cardwell, New York Times, "Utility Helps Wean Vermonters From the Electric Grid," 29 July 2017
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.

— grace schneider, The Courier-Journal, "Ford will sink $900 million in Kentucky Truck Plant for new Lincoln Navigator, Expedition," 20 June 2017
The carrier declined to provide a projection on the revenue impact from the surcharges, but said it already was factored into its outlook.

— paul ziobro, WSJ, "UPS to Add Delivery Surcharges for Black Friday, Christmas Orders," 19 June 2017
When all that is factored in, the HHS estimate found that cost-sharing would average $380 a month, 61 percent more than the estimate of $236 under current law.

— Washington Post, "Gov’t report: Health care deductibles higher under GOP bill," 15 June 2017
And despite the president's promises, management at top infrastructure companies hasn't been issuing new guidance to investors and isn't factoring in boosts to federal spending in their forecasts.

— ben popken, NBC News, "Trump Caps Infrastructure Week By Tossing Binders on Ground," 9 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of factor

see ¹factor

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1621

See Words from the same year

Financial Definition of FACTOR

factor

noun

What It Is

A factor is a financial institution that purchases receivables from a company.

How It Works

Let's say Company XYZ sells widgets. It has about $1 million in receivables from customers who have not paid for their widgets.

Company XYZ needs cash right away because it is trying to finish building a new factory. It calls a factor, which purchases the receivables for $750,000. In the deal, Company XYZ gets $750,000 right away, and the factor gets the right to all the money from the receivables ($1 million). The factor then assumes the risk of customers paying late or not at all.

Why It Matters

Factors and factoring can be complicated, but the basic idea is that companies can trade cash flows later for cash flows now, which is useful for companies that need cash right away. It can also be expensive, as the example shows (Company XYZ gave up $250,000 of its receivables for the deal).

Because factors assume the risk of collecting the receivables, they are choosy about which companies they work with and the creditworthiness of the companies' customers.

Source: Investing Answers

FACTOR Defined for English Language Learners

factor

play

noun

Definition of factor for English Language Learners

: something that helps produce or influence a result : one of the things that cause something to happen
mathematics : a number that evenly divides a larger number
: an amount by which another amount is multiplied or divided

factor

verb

Definition of factor for English Language Learners

: to consider or include (something) in making a judgment or calculation
: to not consider or include (something) in making a judgment or calculation

FACTOR Defined for Kids

factor

play

noun fac·tor \ ˈfak-tər \

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.

factor

verb

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

factor

play

noun fac·tor \ ˈfak-tər \

medical Definition of factor

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

play \fak-ˈtōr-ē-əl, -ˈtȯr-\ adjective

Law Dictionary

factor

noun fac·tor

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

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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factor

Definition of factor

factorship

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Examples of factor in a Sentence

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Did You Know?

Origin and Etymology of factor

factor Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

factor

Definition of factor

factorable

Recent Examples of factor from the Web

Origin and Etymology of factor

Financial Definition of FACTOR

What It Is

How It Works

Why It Matters

Phrases Related to FACTOR

Related Phrases

FACTOR Defined for English Language Learners

factor

Definition of factor for English Language Learners

factor

Definition of factor for English Language Learners

FACTOR Defined for Kids

factor

Definition of factor for Students

factor

Definition of factor for Students

Medical Dictionary

factor

medical Definition of factor

factorial

Law Dictionary

factor

legal Definition of factor

Origin and Etymology of factor

Learn More about factor

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