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¹factor

noun fac·tor \ˈfak-tər\

: something that helps produce or influence a result : one of the things that cause something to happen

mathematics : a number that evenly divides a larger number

: an amount by which another amount is multiplied or divided

Full Definition of FACTOR

: one who acts or transacts business for another: as

a : broker 1b

b : one that lends money to producers and dealers (as on the security of accounts receivable)

a (1) : one that actively contributes to the production of a result : ingredient <price wasn't a factor in the decision> (2) : a substance that functions in or promotes the function of a particular physiological process or bodily system

b : a good or service used in the process of production

: gene

a : any of the numbers or symbols in mathematics that when multiplied together form a product; also : a number or symbol that divides another number or symbol

b : a quantity by which a given quantity is multiplied or divided in order to indicate a difference in measurement <costs increased by a factor of 10>

— fac·tor·ship \-ˌship\ noun

See factor defined for English-language learners

See factor defined for kids

Origin of FACTOR

Middle English, from Middle French facteur, from Latin factor doer, from facere

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to FACTOR

Synonyms: assignee, attorney, commissary, delegate, deputy, envoy, agent, minister, procurator, proxy, rep, representative

Antonyms: whole

Rhymes with FACTOR

tractor

²factor

verb

: to consider or include (something) in making a judgment or calculation

: to not consider or include (something) in making a judgment or calculation

fac·toredfac·tor·ing \-t(ə-)riŋ\

Full Definition of FACTOR

intransitive verb

: to work as a factor

transitive verb

: to resolve into factors

a : to include or admit as a factor —used with in or into <factor inflation into our calculations>

b : to exclude as a factor —used with out

— fac·tor·able \-t(ə-)rə-bəl\ adjective

See factor defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of FACTOR

1621

FACTOR Defined for Kids

¹factor

noun fac·tor \ˈfak-tər\

Definition of FACTOR for Kids

: something that helps produce a result <Price was a factor in my decision.>

: any of the numbers that when multiplied together form a product <The factors of 6 are 1, 2, 3, and 6.>

²factor

verb

fac·toredfac·tor·ing

Definition of FACTOR for Kids

: to be considered in making a judgment <Class participation will factor into your grade.>

: to find the factors of a number

Medical Dictionary

factor

noun fac·tor \ˈfak-tər\

Medical Definition of FACTOR

a : something that actively contributes to the production of a result b : a substance that functions in or promotes the function of a particular physiological process or bodily system

: gene

—fac·to·ri·al \fak-ˈtōr-ē-əl, -ˈtȯr-\ adjective