dimensions

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of dimension.

   Engineers verified the dimensions of every part against the original specification.

   A cube has three spatial dimensions: length, width, and height.

   Note

   The plural gathers the word's measuring sense into a set: the dimensions of a room are its height, width and depth, taken together. Mathematics draws a finer line. A space has dimension three, a single number, while the three dimensions of that space are the independent coordinates themselves. The same spelling also serves the verb's present-tense form, so check whether a measurement is being stated or applied.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present indicative of dimension.

   She dimensions the technical drawing so the machinist knows every measurement.

   The drafting program dimensions each component as soon as it is placed.

   Note

   The verb always takes an object. Someone dimensions a part when they mark, cut or shape it to set measurements. Programmers use it too: a routine dimensions an array when it fixes the array's size, close to allocating it. The ending is a regular -s, which is why the form looks exactly like the noun plural. In most sentences, the object that follows tells you which one you are reading.

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