integral

adjective

in·te·gral | \ ˈin-ti-grəl (usu so in mathematics);

in-ˈte-grəl also -ˈtē- also nonstandard ˈin-trə-gəl

Definition of integral

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : essential to completeness : constituent an integral part of the curriculum

b(1) : being, containing, or relating to one or more mathematical integers

(2) : relating to or concerned with mathematical integration or the results of mathematical integration

c : formed as a unit with another part a seat with integral headrest

2 : composed of constituent parts

3 : lacking nothing essential : entire

integral

noun

in·te·gral | \ ˈin-ti-grəl (usu so in mathematics);

in-ˈte-grəl also -ˈtē- also nonstandard ˈin-trə-gəl\

Definition of integral (Entry 2 of 2)

: the result of a mathematical integration — compare definite integral, indefinite integral

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Other Words from integral

Adjective

integrality \ ˌin-tə-ˈgra-lə-tē

\ noun

integrally \ ˈin-ti-grə-lē ;

in-ˈte-grə- also -ˈtē- \ adverb

Examples of integral in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

This marketing push helped make fried chicken an integral part of the Japanese Christmas tradition. — Gabriella Gershenson, WSJ, "The Greatest New Year’s Menus on the Planet (at Least We Think So)," 26 Dec. 2018 Because many doctors today recognize that good mental health is integral to cancer care, many centers have a team of psychologists and psychiatrists available to you from the get-go. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "11 Things to Know After Receiving an Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis," 14 Dec. 2018 Photo: Getty Images For Republicans, Mr. Bush’s 1992 loss has become a cautionary tale; inflexible opposition to higher taxes is now integral to the party’s identity. — Greg Ip, WSJ, "Bush’s Economic Legacy, Little Appreciated Then, Reverberates Today," 3 Dec. 2018 Over the past few decades, research from economists like Raj Chetty has found that where children grow up is integral to their success as adults. — Jillian Weinberger, Vox, "Greater Baltimore is starkly segregated by race and class. A housing program is trying to change that.," 30 Nov. 2018 Communication is integral to any part of space travel—arguably the most famous moment in the history of space travel was when Neil Armstrong informed Mission Control of one small step for man. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Tablet That's Built for Exploring Alien Worlds," 16 Nov. 2018 Every character has a distinct way of dressing, based on their looks in the comics, that's integral to their development. — Halie Lesavage, Glamour, "Why The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Is the Perfect Last-Minute Halloween Costume Inspiration," 25 Oct. 2018 In the twilight of his career, Strzok was integral to two of the bureau’s most high-profile investigations: the Russia case, and the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while secretary of state. — Matt Zapotosky, The Seattle Times, "FBI agent Peter Strzok fired over anti-Trump texts," 13 Aug. 2018 Ariana has said that in many ways, her new album was integral to her healing process. — Dan Barna, Teen Vogue, "Ariana Grande's Song "Get Well Soon" References the Manchester Bombing," 7 Aug. 2018

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.