spatial

adjective

spa·​tial ˈspā-shəl 

variants or less commonly spacial

1

: relating to, occupying, or having the character of space

2

: of, relating to, or involved in the perception of relationships (as of objects) in space

tests of spatial ability

spatial memory

spatiality

ˌspā-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

or less commonly spaciality

spatially

ˈspā-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

or less commonly spacially

Examples of spatial in a Sentence

When patients have this kind of problem, they can't feel the relationship between their body and their feet, so they must rely on visual cues to keep themselves upright. Without these cues, they lose their spatial orientation and fall. —John Pettinato, Discover, October 2004

Williams syndrome, which was first described in 1961, results when a group of genes on one copy of chromosome 7 is deleted during embryonic development. Most people with Williams resemble each other more than they do their families, with wide-set hazel eyes, upturned noses, and wide mouths. They also share a peculiar set of mental impairments. Most stumble over the simplest spatial tasks, such as putting together a puzzle, and many not read or write beyond the level of a first grader. —U.S. News & World Report, 15 June 1998

Several new ground-based and orbiting astronomical facilities that could provide high spatial and spectral resolution appear technologically ready for development during the next several decades. —Robert D. Gehrz et al., Science, 25 May 1984

the spatial dimensions of a room

Recent Examples on the Web

To study it, astronomers utilized the ESO’s GRAVITY+ instrument alongside the VLTI, which combines light from a quartet of 26-foot-wide telescopes to create a virtual composite with 15 times the spatial resolution as a single telescope. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026

This creates a mismatch between legacy workplace models and the needs of workers now pivoting toward higher-value work that depends on concentration, critical colleague interactions and more intentional spatial support. — Sarah Davis, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Redefining Your Desk with Edge-of-Desk Freedom The most striking innovation of the ScanMax 320 is its unique spatial design. — New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026

There are also features such as lossless, spatial, and dynamic audio to enhance the overall listening experience. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin spatium space

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spatial

• spatial summation

Rhymes for spatial

• facial
• glacial
• racial
• spacial
• bifacial
• biracial
• palatial
• postglacial
• preglacial
• subglacial
• craniofacial
• interfacial

Kids Definition

spatial

adjective

spa·​tial ˈspā-shəl 

: of or relating to space

spatially

ˈspāsh-(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

spatial

adjective

spa·​tial ˈspā-shəl 

1

: relating to, occupying, or having the character of space

affected with spatial disorientation

2

: of or relating to facility in perceiving relations (as of objects) in space

tests of spatial ability

spatially

ˈspāsh-(ə-)lē 

adverb