magnitude

noun

mag·​ni·​tude ˈmag-nə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

1

a

: great size or extent

… cannot wage a war of such magnitude …

—A. N. Whitehead

the magnitude of an earthquake

b(1)

: spatial quality : size

… able to operate only over distances of very small magnitude …

—George W. Gray †1960

(2)

: quantity, number

The savings in amounts of metal … will be of dramatically significant magnitudes.

—American Fabrics

2

: the importance, quality, or caliber of something

… evil of such magnitude as must, if possible, be prevented.

—Jane Austen

a writer of first magnitude

—Richard Plant

3

: a number representing the intrinsic (see intrinsic sense 1a) or apparent brightness of a celestial (see celestial entry 1 sense 2) body on a logarithmic scale in which an increase of one unit corresponds to a reduction in the brightness of light by a factor of 2.512

4

: a numerical quantitative measure expressed usually as a multiple of a standard unit

5

: the intensity of an earthquake represented by a number on an arbitrary scale

a magnitude six earthquake

Synonyms of magnitude

• significance
• importance
• import
• consequence

Examples of magnitude in a Sentence

the magnitude of the issue can scarcely be overstated

the mountain's sheer magnitude usually leaves tourists speechless

Recent Examples on the Web

The super-senior brings a fiery magnitude that lifts his tempered Bulldogs. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026

Notably, the concert was directed by Hamish Hamilton, the British director renowned for his work on huge entertainment events, including the annual Super Bowl halftime show and Oscars, which gives an indication of the magnitude of BTS’ return. —Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026

Mario Tama/Getty Images A snow drought of this magnitude has the power to disrupt fundamental aspects of life in the West, where the population relies on snowpack for roughly 75% of its water supply, multiple experts told CBS News. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026

There has never been an attack of this magnitude on South Pars field because of a historical understanding within the region to not disrupt or inhibit each other's vital infrastructure, according to the University of California's Victor. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin magnitudo, from magnus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing magnitude

• absolute magnitude
• apparent magnitude
• order of magnitude

Rhymes for magnitude

• altitude
• amplitude
• aptitude
• attitude
• barbecued
• certitude
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interlude

Kids Definition

magnitude

noun

mag·​ni·​tude ˈmag-nə-ˌt(y)üd 

1

a

: great size or extent : bigness

b

: size entry 1 sense 1

2

: the importance of something in influence or effect

3

: degree of brightness

especially : a number representing the brightness of a star

4

: the intensity of an earthquake represented by a number on a scale

Medical Definition

magnitude

noun

mag·​ni·​tude ˈmag-nə-ˌt(y)üd 

: relative size or extent