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

Jews had been an integral, though never accepted, part of Poland for nearly a millennium. — WSJ, "The History of the Jews in Poland Is Complex," 7 Mar. 2019 With Leigh, the costumes became so integral [to the movement]. — Mark Holgate, Vogue, "Michael Clark, the British Dancer Who Brought Punk to Classical Ballet, Will Perform at the Gucci Hub in Milan," 19 Sep. 2018 To wit: At the outset of each sailing, passengers are gifted one of Quark’s bright yellow all-weather parkas, an integral piece of the expedition wardrobe. — Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Cruise Lines in the World: 2018 Readers' Choice Awards," 9 Oct. 2018 The tricky winger lit up the SPFL over the last 18 months, becoming an integral piece of Celtic's historic double-treble winning sides. — SI.com, "Crystal Palace Chairman Reassures Fans via Twitter as Another Target Turns Down Selhurst Park Move," 8 July 2018 Now, Guardiola’s impact is propelling England as three City players - Raheem Sterling, John Stones, and Kyle Walker - have served as integral pieces amid England’s charge to the quarters. — Owen Pence, BostonGlobe.com, "The World Cup is getting hot. If you haven’t been watching, this will catch you up," 6 July 2018 The program is an integral piece of the nearly $10 million the company spends annually to support farmers. — Justin Worland/alajuela, Time, "Your Morning Cup of Coffee Is in Danger. Can the Industry Adapt in Time?," 21 June 2018 Parents are an integral piece in a powerful system for regulating children’s stress and emotional reactivity. — Dylan Gee, Vox, "I study kids who were separated from their parents. The trauma could change their brains forever.," 20 June 2018 Rattlesnakes and ticks are just as integral pieces of the mosaic of wild places as are wildflowers and long-bearded gobblers. — Shannon Tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Rattlers and ticks part of spring turkey hunting," 8 Apr. 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.