factor

1 of 2

noun

fac·​tor ˈfak-tər How to pronounce factor (audio)
1
: one who acts or transacts business for another: such as
b
: one that lends money to producers and dealers (as on the security of accounts receivable)
2
a(1)
: one that actively contributes to the production of a result : ingredient
price wasn't a factor in the decision
(2)
: a substance that functions in or promotes the function of a particular physiological process or bodily system
a clotting factor that facilitates blood coagulation
b
: a good or service (such as land, labor, or capital) used in the process of production
3
: gene
4
a
: any of the numbers or symbols in mathematics that when multiplied together form a product (see product sense 1)
also : a number or symbol that divides another number or symbol
b
: a quantity by which a given quantity is multiplied or divided in order to indicate a difference in measurement
costs increased by a factor of 10
factorship noun

factor

2 of 2

verb

factored; factoring ˈfak-t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce factor (audio)

intransitive verb

: to work as a factor

transitive verb

1
: to resolve into factors
2
a
: to include or admit as a factor
used with in or into
factor inflation into our calculations
b
: to exclude as a factor
used with out
factorable adjective

Did you know?

In Latin factor means simply "doer". So in English a factor is an "actor" or element or ingredient in some situation or quantity. Charm can be a factor in someone's success, and lack of exercise can be a factor in producing a poor physique. In math we use factor to mean a number that can be multiplied or divided to produce a given number (for example, 5 and 8 are factors of 40). And in biology a gene may be called a factor, since genes are ingredients in the total organism.

Examples of factor in a Sentence

Noun There were several factors contributing to their recent decline. Poor planning was a major factor in the company's failure. 6, 4, 3, and 2 are factors of 12.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
With not all of those ballots falling into District 16, political observers estimate as much as a third of those ballots will be a factor. Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 While there are many factors driving people to move from San Diego to elsewhere in California or out of state, demographers agree that the leading motivator is the region’s unabated rise in the cost of housing, coupled with a still lingering willingness of many employers to permit remote work. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2024 How much water depends on a variety of factors, including temperatures at time of planting, soil and watering systems, but Sparks said something like half of a 2-gallon watering can at each watering time could be sufficient. Alex Groves, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The minimum relative humidity will also remain at about 10 to 15%, the service said, a combination of factors that makes wildfire outbreaks all the more likely. Li Cohen, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2024 Maricopa County's public health officials since 2006 have tracked deaths in which environmental heat was the cause or a major contributing factor. Anita Snow, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024 The American Cancer Society recommends that women who are at high risk of breast cancer based on certain factors get a breast MRI and a mammogram every year, typically starting at age 30. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 According to the fast food restaurant, the agency used a custom formula to determine the run time with factors such as how long the host would talk, presentations, performances, ads, and maybe even a little Ken-ergy! Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 These factors have a direct impact on employee retention, productivity and job satisfaction. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
Verb
Teng, 25, would have factored into the mix for the final rotation spot but was slowed by an oblique injury to begin camp and will only pitch in his first game Wednesday, which now will come on the minor-league fields at Papago Park. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 The Senate legislation would factor in that extra state pay, potentially forcing Watkins’ salary down. Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 Metrics like charting or sales can factor in, but more important are festival identities, cultural knowledge and a little diplomacy. Shelly Tan, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, the top concern factoring into companies’ insurance purchasing decisions is cyber security. Lawrence Carrel, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Traffic to the four parks has been incredibly strong for the past several years, however, which could have factored into Disney’s decision to increase prices. Chris Morris, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024 One-way flights are rarely a bargain, so be sure to factor in the cost of air travel (if required) before assessing the value of a deal. David Nikel, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 That figure jumps more than $100 million with years of interest factored in. Graham Kates, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2024 The portion of the highway where the crash occurred was straight and the weather conditions did not factor into the crash, Ruvalcaba said. Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024

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

Noun

Middle English factour "doer, perpetrator, commercial agent," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin factor "maker, creator, perpetrator" (Medieval Latin, "commercial agent, broker"), from fac-, stem of facere "to make, bring about, perform, do" + -tor, agent suffix — more at fact

Verb

verbal derivative of factor entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1621, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

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

Dictionary Entries Near factor

Cite this Entry

“Factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/factor. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

factor

1 of 2 noun
fac·​tor ˈfak-tər How to pronounce factor (audio)
1
: one that buys or sells property for another : agent
2
: something that contributes to the production of a result
price wasn't a factor in our decision
3
: gene
4
: any of the numbers or symbols in mathematics that when multiplied together form a product
especially : a number that divides another number without leaving a remainder
the factors of 6 are 1, 2, 3, and 6

factor

2 of 2 verb
factored; factoring -t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce factor (audio)
1
: to find the mathematical factors of and especially the prime mathematical factors
2
: to act as a factor
attendance will factor into your grade
factorable adjective

Medical Definition

factor

noun
fac·​tor ˈfak-tər How to pronounce factor (audio)
1
a
: something that actively contributes to the production of a result
b
: a substance that functions in or promotes the function of a particular physiological process or bodily system
2
: gene
factorial adjective

Legal Definition

factor

noun
fac·​tor
1
: one who acts or transacts business for another: as
a
: a commercial agent who buys or sells goods for others on commission
b
: one that lends money to producers and dealers (as on the security of accounts receivable)
2
: a person or thing that actively contributes to the production of a result
a difference in salary based on a factor other than sex
Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin, doer, maker, agent, from Latin, maker, from facere to do, make

More from Merriam-Webster on factor

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