Dictionary
linear
adjective lin·e·ar \ˈli-nē-ər\
: formed by lines : made up of lines
: forming a line
: of or relating to the length of something
Full Definition of LINEAR
1
a (1) : of, relating to, resembling, or having a graph that is a line and especially a straight line : straight (2) : involving a single dimension b (1) : of the first degree with respect to one or more variables (2) : of, relating to, based on, or being linear equations, linear differential equations, linear functions, linear transformations, or linear algebra c (1) : characterized by an emphasis on line <linear art> (2) : composed of simply drawn lines with little attempt at pictorial representation <linear script> d : consisting of a straight chain of atoms
2
: elongated with nearly parallel sides <linear leaf> — see leaf illustration
3
: having or being a response or output that is directly proportional to the input
4
: of, relating to, or based or depending on sequential development <linear thinking> <a linear narrative>
— lin·e·ar·i·ty \ˌli-nē-ˈer-ə-tē, -ˈa-rə-\ noun
— lin·e·ar·ly \ˈli-nē-ər-lē\ adverb
See linear defined for English-language learners
See linear defined for kids
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First Known Use of LINEAR
circa 1656
Related to LINEAR
- Synonyms
- direct, straight, right, straightaway, straightforward
LINEAR Defined for Kids
linear
adjective lin·ear \ˈli-nē-ər\
Definition of LINEAR for Kids
1
: made up of, relating to, or like a line : straight
2
: involving a single dimension
Medical Dictionary
linear
adjective lin·ear \ˈlin-ē-ər\
Medical Definition of LINEAR
: of, relating to, or resembling a line
—lin·ear·i·ty \ˌlin-ē-ˈar-ət-ē\ noun, plural lin·ear·i·ties
—lin·ear·ly \ˈlin-ē-ər-lē\ adverb
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