spatial

adjective

spa·​tial ˈspā-shəl How to pronounce spatial (audio)
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 noun
or less commonly spaciality
spatially 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The soundstage changes as the listener moves their head, creating a real-world spatial effect with the widest sound where individual instruments are placed in three dimensions. Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025 That’s partially why Apple emphasized the Vision Pro as a spatial computing tool, focusing on work and productivity rather than just 2-D and 3-D entertainment capabilities. Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 12 July 2025 The Beats Studio Pro delivers powerful noise cancellation, spatial audio, and up to 40 hours of battery life, and this Kim K edition is a whole vibe. Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025 The right hemisphere of the brain is dominant for processing potential threats, spatial attention and coordination of rapid escape movements. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for spatial

Word History

Etymology

Latin spatium space

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spatial was in 1847

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spatial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spatial. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

spatial

adjective
spa·​tial ˈspā-shəl How to pronounce spatial (audio)
: of or relating to space
spatially adverb

Medical Definition

spatial

adjective
spa·​tial ˈspā-shəl How to pronounce spatial (audio)
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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on spatial

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