First Known Use: 1846
Dictionary
1vector
noun vec·tor \ˈvek-tər\
mathematics : a quantity (such as velocity) that has size and direction
: the course or direction of an airplane
biology : an insect, animal, etc., that carries germs that cause disease
Full Definition of VECTOR
1
a : a quantity that has magnitude and direction and that is commonly represented by a directed line segment whose length represents the magnitude and whose orientation in space represents the direction; broadly : an element of a vector space b : a course or compass direction especially of an airplane
2
a : an organism (as an insect) that transmits a pathogen b : pollinator a
3
: an agent (as a plasmid or virus) that contains or carries modified genetic material (as recombinant DNA) and can be used to introduce exogenous genes into the genome of an organism
— vector adjective
— vec·to·ri·al \vek-ˈtȯr-ē-əl\ adjective
— vec·to·ri·al·ly \-ə-lē\ adverb
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Origin of VECTOR
New Latin, from Latin, carrier, from vehere to carry — more at way
2vector
verb
vec·toredvec·tor·ing \-t(ə-)riŋ\
Definition of VECTOR
transitive verb
1
: to guide (as an airplane, its pilot, or a missile) in flight by means of a radioed vector
2
: to change the direction of (the thrust of a jet engine) for steering
First Known Use of VECTOR
1941
VECTOR[2] Defined for Kids
vector
noun vec·tor \ˈvek-tər\
Definition of VECTOR for Kids
: a living thing (as a mosquito, fly, or tick) that carries and passes on a disease-causing microorganism
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