scalar

adjective

sca·lar | \ ˈskā-lər

, -ˌlär\

Definition of scalar

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : having an uninterrupted series of steps : graduated scalar chain of authority scalar cells

2a : capable of being represented by a point on a scale scalar quantity

b : of or relating to a scalar or scalar product scalar multiplication

scalar

noun

Definition of scalar (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a real number rather than a vector

2 : a quantity (such as mass or time) that has a magnitude describable by a real number and no direction

Examples of scalar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Other elementary particles—those that researchers don’t believe can be divided any further—include six flavors of leptons and the Higgs, known as a scalar boson. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "The Large Hadron Collider Is Getting A Huge Power Boost," 19 June 2018 These modifications of general relativity also introduce a scalar field. — Katia Moskvitch, WIRED, "Troubled Times for Alternatives to Einstein’s Theory of Gravity," 6 May 2018 The comparison provided both the distance to the CMB and the scalar dimensions of its features, allowing the Planck team to clock the primordial universe’s expansion rate at just 67.3 kilometers per second per megaparsec. — Lee Billings, Scientific American, "Cosmic Conflict: Diverging Data on Universe’s Expansion Polarizes Scientists," 16 May 2018 One set of theories is known as Tensor-vector-scalar gravity (TeVeS), which adds an extra field to gravity. — Jesse Emspak, Smithsonian, "What the Neutron Star Collision Means for Dark Matter," 1 Nov. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Then there is TeVeS (tensor-vector-scalar), MOND’s relativistic cousin. — Katia Moskvitch, WIRED, "Troubled Times for Alternatives to Einstein’s Theory of Gravity," 6 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scalar.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.