Definition of integral
1a : essential to completeness : constituent an integral part of the curriculumb (1) : being, containing, or relating to one or more mathematical integers (2) : relating to or concerned with mathematical integration or the results of mathematical integrationc : formed as a unit with another part a seat with integral headrest
2 : composed of constituent parts
3 : lacking nothing essential : entire
From the M-W Editors
Examples of integral in a Sentence
I do know that shoot-'em-ups (and saw-'em-ups) are likely to remain part of our lives, and that suggests a depressing idea: Maybe the love of violence is an integral part of human nature … —Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Oct. 2007
Stuffed with peanut butter, celery is the quintessential after-school snack; diced, it provides an essential crunch to chicken and potato salads; buttered up, it is an integral part of Thanksgiving stuffing. —Sara Dickerman, New York Times Magazine, 3 Sept. 2006
Sitting out on the grass … watching the freight trains roll by on the levee at two in the morning, drinking a beer and listening to the music drifting out of the club, is an integral part of the whole experience. —Tom Piazza, Why New Orleans Matters, 2005
She had become an integral part of their lives.
a car dealer respected for his integral honesty and straightforwardness with customers
Recent Examples of integral from the Web
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Forging a route into the continent is integral to Xi’s plan to build a modern-day Silk Road to carve out new export markets for local businesses as the Chinese economy slows.
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In his lone year with the Bulls, Rondo moved in and out of the rotation under coach Fred Hoiberg, sometimes garnering significant playing time and an integral role in the offense, and other times he was relegated to the bench.
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Unfortunately, dams—while integral to protecting low-lying towns from floods and generating electricity—also halt the transfer of these key sediments.
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From Larry Bird to Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing to Vince Carter, and even LeBron, the draft was integral to the construction of a playoff-caliber squad.
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These photos are an integral part of American music history.
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The Bulldogs' first commit of the year, Nolan has been an integral part of Samford's signing class since Sept. 2, 2016.
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The chicken dinner always has been an integral part of the picnic.
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In an effort to make Amazon Prime even more integral to every day life, the e-commerce giant is rolling out Prime Wardrobe.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'integral.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of integral
see integer
Definition of integral
: the result of a mathematical integration — compare definite integral, indefinite integral
Examples of integral in a Sentence
The main tools used in the study of these functions are those we have already discussed: representation as integrals, power-series expansions, and differential equations. —Robert S. Strichartz, The Way of Analysis, 2000
Origin and Etymology of integral
see integer
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
INTEGRAL Defined for English Language Learners
integral
playDefinition of integral for English Language Learners
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: very important and necessary
INTEGRAL Defined for Kids
integral
playDefinition of integral for Students
: very important and necessary : needed to make something complete an integral part
Learn More about integral
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for integral Spanish Central: Translation of integral Nglish: Translation of integral for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of integral for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about integral
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