integral

adjective in·te·gral \ ˈin-ti-grəl (usu so in mathematics) ; in-ˈte-grəl also -ˈtē- also nonstandard ˈin-trə-gəl \

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Examples: integral in a Sentence

Definition of integral

1 a : 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

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integrality

play \ˌin-tə-ˈgra-lə-tē\ noun

—

integrally

play \ˈin-ti-grə-lē; in-ˈte-grə- also -ˈtē-\ adverb

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See integral defined for kids

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

The lapses in concentration with which he was frequently associated with during his first spell at Chelsea had disappeared, as Luiz became an integral part of Antonio Conte's side.

— SI.com, "Chelsea Defender Rules Out Joining Portuguese Giants But Leaves Door Open for Exit," 8 July 2018
Philanthropy is an integral part of Grand Rapids’ culture, says Tim Mroz of The Right Place, a regional business development agency.

— christa case bryant, The Christian Science Monitor, "How young liberals' moves to Red America may temper political divides," 6 July 2018
The band decided not to hire a new violinist, and reports from the show mention how the set seemed strange without a violin, an integral part of the DMB sound.

— sofia mele, Billboard, "Dave Matthews Band Battled Sound Issues, Skipped the Hits at Summerfest," 2 July 2018
With sleep being such an integral part of a healthy lifestyle — the average American is struggling to get the proper amount of sleep a night- with six hours being the average.

— zoya gervis, Fox News, "Your partner may be your biggest dieting enemy, study finds," 29 June 2018
But for many people for whom travel is an integral part of life, continuing to do just that can be a means to keep up normalcy—and maintain their passions and hobbies.

— cassie shortsleeve, Condé Nast Traveler, "What It’s Really Like to Travel With Alzheimer’s," 28 June 2018
The transfer of know-how from rich countries to poorer ones, by hook or crook, is an integral part of economic development.

— The Economist, "America Inc and the rage against Beijing," 28 June 2018
That allegiance and fidelity to hip-hop’s most well-known artists, and to the art itself, is what makes Chang an integral part of hip-hop’s story, Morgan says.

— anne branigin, The Root, "Sophia Chang Ain’t Nothing to Fuck Wit’," 25 June 2018
The parish hall addition, which features substantial brickwork and heavy timber framing, is an integral part of the overall property, according to the city's historic preservation planners.

— tom daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Part of historic downtown Milwaukee church to be preserved, instead of razed, with new plan," 22 June 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.

Origin and Etymology of integral

see integer

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1551

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

integral Synonyms

Phrases

of the essence;

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

: 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