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

Other Words from integral Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about integral

Keep scrolling for more

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

During the civil rights movement, gospel played an integral part in spreading the message of freedom and equality through lyrics. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "Gay Chorus Deep South," 1 May 2019 However, Stephanie has gone against the grain and become an integral part of the diversity shift on Broadway and in theater more broadly. — Gabe Bergado, Teen Vogue, "Stephanie Hsu Is Using the Zany, Magic Power of "Be More Chill" to Transform Broadway," 24 Apr. 2019 The topic for Wilson and Ciara, according to Pro Football Talk, is how the couple has applied goal-setting as an integral part of achieving success. — Bob Condotta, The Seattle Times, "What to watch as the NFL league meetings kick off this week," 25 Mar. 2019 Campaign finance was an integral part of the Watergate scandal, something that Congress tries to fix in the aftermath with the Federal Election Campaign Act Amendment in 1974. — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, "Political Division? That’s Nothing New," 7 Mar. 2019 Beauty is an integral part of wellness, whether as a means of self-expression, a way to perform self care, or as a tool to help improve your health, and the right products can be a big help. — Tiffany Dodson, SELF, "Here Are the Submission Guidelines for Our 2019 Healthy Beauty Awards," 5 Mar. 2019 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

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.