Magnitude

Pronunciation

• IPA: /mæɡnɪtjuːd/

Origin

From Latin magnitūdō ("greatness, size"); - + itude + -

Full definition of magnitude

Noun

1. (uncountable, countable) The absolute or relative size, extent or importance of something.
2. (countable) An order of magnitude.
3. (mathematics) A number, assigned to something, such that it may be compared to others numerically
4. (mathematics) Of a vector, the norm, most commonly, the two-norm.
5. (astronomy) The apparent brightness of a star (on a negative, logarithmic scale); apparent magnitude
6. (seismology) A measure of the energy released by an earthquake (e.g. on the Richter scale).

Derived terms

• order of magnitude
• absolute magnitude
• apparent magnitude