coefficient
noun
co·ef·fi·cient
ˌkō-ə-ˈfi-shənt 
1
: any of the factors of a product considered in relation to a specific factor
especially
: a constant factor of a term as distinguished from a variable
2
a
: a number that serves as a measure of some property or characteristic (as of a substance, device, or process)
coefficient of expansion of a metal
b
: measure
Examples of coefficient in a Sentence
5 is the coefficient of y in the term 5y.
the metal's coefficient of expansion
Recent Examples on the Web
Anyway, the final substance that lands high on the coefficient of stickiness list is pancake syrup.
—
Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
The top five nations in the association club coefficient rankings only have one team each in the competition, with all of them starting their involvement in the play-off round.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Specifically, your function has to be a polynomial — a combination of variables raised to whole-number exponents and multiplied by coefficients.
—Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 17 Mar. 2025
After all, there were five Italian teams in the Champions League this season, a reward for finishing first in the UEFA coefficient.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for coefficient
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Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
The top five nations in the association club coefficient rankings only have one team each in the competition, with all of them starting their involvement in the play-off round.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Specifically, your function has to be a polynomial — a combination of variables raised to whole-number exponents and multiplied by coefficients.
—Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 17 Mar. 2025
After all, there were five Italian teams in the Champions League this season, a reward for finishing first in the UEFA coefficient.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for coefficient
Cite this Entry
“Coefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coefficient. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
coefficient
noun
co·ef·fi·cient
ˌkō-ə-ˈfish-ənt
1
: a number or symbol by which another number or symbol (as a mathematical variable) is multiplied
3 is the coefficient of x in the expression 3x
2
: a number that serves as a measure of some property (as of a substance or device)
the metal's coefficient of expansion
Medical Definition
coefficient
noun
co·ef·fi·cient
ˌkō-ə-ˈfish-ənt
: a number that serves as a measure of some property (as of a substance) or characteristic (as of a device or process) and that is commonly used as a factor in computations
the coefficient of expansion of a metal
see absorption coefficient
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