magnitude

noun

mag·​ni·​tude ˈmag-nə-ˌtüd How to pronounce magnitude (audio)
-ˌtyüd
1
a
: great size or extent
cannot wage a war of such magnitudeA. N. Whitehead
the magnitude of an earthquake
b(1)
: spatial quality : size
able to operate only over distances of very small magnitudeG. W. Gray
(2)
: quantity, number
the savings in amounts of metal … will be of dramatically significant magnitudesAmerican Fabrics
2
: the importance, quality, or caliber of something
evil of such magnitude as must, if possible, be preventedJane Austen
a writer of first magnitudeRichard Plant
3
: a number representing the intrinsic (see intrinsic sense 1a) or apparent brightness of a celestial (see celestial entry 1 sense 2) body on a logarithmic scale in which an increase of one unit corresponds to a reduction in the brightness of light by a factor of 2.512
4
: a numerical quantitative measure expressed usually as a multiple of a standard unit
5
: the intensity of an earthquake represented by a number on an arbitrary scale
a magnitude six earthquake

Examples of magnitude in a Sentence

the magnitude of the issue can scarcely be overstated the mountain's sheer magnitude usually leaves tourists speechless
Recent Examples on the Web Prosecutors said in Friday’s filing that a sentence of 40 to 50 years was appropriate given the magnitude of Mr. Bankman-Fried’s fraud and its impact on people around the world, including those who had put some of their retirement money and life savings into FTX. David Yaffe-Bellany, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 The magnitude of the tax package rivals the one Democrats passed during a 2007 special session called by then-Gov. Martin O’Malley (D). Erin Cox, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for magnitude 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'magnitude.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin magnitudo, from magnus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of magnitude was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near magnitude

Cite this Entry

“Magnitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnitude. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

magnitude

noun
mag·​ni·​tude ˈmag-nə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce magnitude (audio)
1
a
: great size or extent : bigness
2
: the importance of something in influence or effect
3
: degree of brightness
especially : a number representing the brightness of a star
4
: the intensity of an earthquake represented by a number on a scale

Medical Definition

magnitude

noun
mag·​ni·​tude ˈmag-nə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce magnitude (audio)
: relative size or extent

More from Merriam-Webster on magnitude

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