# precision

Pronunciation: US say "pri-SIZH-uhn" /pɹɪˈsɪʒ.ən/; UK

## Noun

1. The state of being exact, and in particular of being both exact and accurate.
   - Simple: The quality of being exact and correct, with no mistakes.
   - _The watchmaker fitted each tiny gear with remarkable precision._
   - _Her calculations were carried out with such precision that every figure checked out._
4. The degree to which repeated measurements of the same quantity give the same result.
   - Simple: How closely repeated measurements of the same thing match each other.
   - _Engineers prized the gauge for its precision, since it returned almost identical readings across trials._
   - _High precision alone does not guarantee accuracy; a badly calibrated instrument can be consistent yet wrong._
5. The count of significant digits a value can be measured to with confidence.
   - Simple: The number of digits in a measurement that you can trust.
   - _The instrument reports each temperature to a precision of three significant digits._
   - _Storing the value as a 64-bit number increases its precision._
6. A contract bridge bidding system that uses many artificial bids to describe a hand quite precisely.
   - Simple: A way of bidding in the card game bridge that uses special bids to describe your cards.
   - _Many expert pairs adopt precision for its tightly defined opening bids._
   - _Under precision, the strong club opening forces partner to respond._

## Adjective

2. Made with, or marked by, accuracy; built or done to fine, exact standards.
   - Simple: Made or done with great accuracy and care.
   - _Modern engines depend on precision components machined to fine tolerances._
   - _The sculptor's precision carving left no rough edges anywhere._
3. Designed or used for the purpose of taking exact and precise measurements.
   - Simple: Made or used to take very exact measurements.
   - _The workshop calibrates its precision gauges every morning._
   - _Surveyors carried precision instruments to map the boundary exactly._

## Origin

This word comes from Middle French 'precision', equivalent to 'precise' plus the suffix '-ion'.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/precision (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).