cardinality

noun

car·​di·​nal·​i·​ty ˌkär-də-ˈna-lə-tē How to pronounce cardinality (audio)
plural cardinalities
: the number of elements in a given mathematical set

Examples of cardinality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The diagonal argument shows that the cardinality of the reals is greater than the cardinality of the natural numbers. Patrick Honner, Quanta Magazine, 27 Sep. 2022 And in ultimate L, Cantor is right: The continuum has cardinality . Quanta Magazine, 15 July 2021 The set of real numbers has a bigger cardinality than the natural numbers because there are more of them. Quanta Magazine, 10 Aug. 2021 Cantor also proved that the infinite number of points on a line has the same cardinality as the infinite number of points that fill the volume of a shape, like a sphere. Quanta Magazine, 26 Aug. 2021 Alternatively, it could be termed something else: cardinality, for example. Martin Goldstern, Scientific American, 16 Aug. 2021 Who’s discussing ephemeral infinite cardinality then? Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes, 7 May 2021 In an ephemeral world of shifting clouds and infinite cardinality, the need to grasp some human sense of observability is key to our operational lifeblood. Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes, 7 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cardinality.' 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

cardinal entry 1 + -ity

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cardinality was in 1935

Dictionary Entries Near cardinality

Cite this Entry

“Cardinality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cardinality. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cardinality

noun
car·​di·​nal·​i·​ty ˌkärd-ᵊn-ˈal-ət-ē How to pronounce cardinality (audio)
plural cardinalities
: the number of elements in a given mathematical set

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