parameter
Americannoun
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Mathematics.
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a constant or variable term in a function that determines the specific form of the function but not its general nature, as a in f (x ) = ax, where a determines only the slope of the line described by f (x ).
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one of the independent variables in a set of parametric equations.
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Statistics. a variable entering into the mathematical form of any distribution such that the possible values of the variable correspond to different distributions.
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Computers. a variable that must be given a specific value during the execution of a program or of a procedure within a program.
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Usually parameters. limits or boundaries; guidelines.
the basic parameters of our foreign policy.
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characteristic or factor; aspect; element.
a useful parameter for judging long-term success.
noun
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one of a number of auxiliary variables in terms of which all the variables in an implicit functional relationship can be explicitly expressed See parametric equations
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a variable whose behaviour is not being considered and which may for present purposes be regarded as a constant, as y in the partial derivative ∂f( x,y )/∂ x
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statistics a characteristic of the distribution of a population, such as its mean, as distinct from that of a sample Compare statistic
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informal any constant or limiting factor
a designer must work within the parameters of budget and practicality
Usage
Some object strongly to the use of parameter in these newer senses. Nevertheless, the criticized uses are now well established both in educated speech and in edited writing.
Discover More
The term is often mistakenly used to refer to the limits of possible values a variable can have because of confusion with the word perimeter.
Other Word Forms
- parametric adjective
- parametrical adjective
Etymology
Origin of parameter
From the New Latin word parametrum, dating back to 1650–60; para- 1, -meter
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The exchange rate is not a trigger parameter for the ECB.”
She will outline the parameters of the inquiry on Tuesday before a brief opening statement from the counsel assisting the inquiry.
From BBC
“People have been given this treasure trove of clues to go through without being given appropriate context and parameters to go through them responsibly,” said Moran.
Instead of directly modeling their behavior, researchers use trial and error to come up with plausible values for key parameters—the rate at which clouds over the ocean turn to rain, say.
By clarifying how to fine tune the gyroscope's operating parameters, the research offers practical guidance for building more flexible and efficient wave energy systems.
From Science Daily
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
