Definition of quantity
quantities
1a : an indefinite amount or numberb : a determinate or estimated amountc : total amount or numberd : a considerable amount or number —often used in plural generous quantities of luck — H. E. Putsch
2a : the aspect in which a thing is measurable in terms of greater, less, or equal or of increasing or decreasing magnitudeb : the subject of a mathematical operationc : an individual considered with respect to a given situation an unknown quantity … as attorney general — Tom Wicker
3a : duration and intensity of speech sounds as distinct from their individual quality or phonemic character; specifically : the relative length or brevity of a prosodic syllable in some languages (such as Greek and Latin)b : the relative duration or time length of a speech sound or sound sequence
4 : the character of a logical proposition as being universal, particular, or singular
Read the Latest from M-W
Examples of quantity in a Sentence
The wine is made in small quantities.
The boss is worried about quantity as well as quality.
The family buys food in quantity.
Recent Examples of quantity from the Web
-
Alexander the Great is even said to have fed huge quantities of onions to his soldiers to assure strength in battle.
-
DEA investigators cited in part a larger quantity of drugs kept in stock at the bigger VA medical centers to treat a higher volume of patients, both outpatient and inpatient, and for distribution of prescriptions by mail.
-
According to the report, the board is unsure if the lab is fit to continue to operate and handle increasing quantities of plutonium in coming years after a series of problems with management in the maintenance and cleanup of the dangerous materials.
-
Both own enormous quantities of their companies’ stock, but their compensation in 2016 was not high enough to qualify.
-
Gase's time in Denver showed him the value of quantity when building an arsenal of offensive weapons.
-
Sabet said marijuana use causes respiratory problems, results in low-birth-weight babies and can impair learning with permanent IQ loss when consumed in large quantities by someone who's young, according to the National Academy of Sciences.
-
The rigorous sourcing of materials (from the same tanneries that supply Hermès and Chanel) also keeps the quantities limited.
-
Sourcing them in quantity is difficult however because of the sanctions.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quantity'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of quantity
Middle English quantite, from Anglo-French quantité, from Latin quantitat-, quantitas, from quantus how much, how large; akin to Latin quam how, as, quando when, qui who — more at who
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
QUANTITY Defined for English Language Learners
quantity
playDefinition of quantity for English Language Learners
-
: an amount or number of something
-
: a large amount or number of something
QUANTITY Defined for Kids
Learn More about quantity
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for quantity Spanish Central: Translation of quantity Nglish: Translation of quantity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of quantity for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quantity
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up quantity? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!