norm

[ nawrm ]
/ nɔrm /

noun

a standard, model, or pattern.
general level or average: Two cars per family is the norm in most suburban communities.
Education.
  1. a designated standard of average performance of people of a given age, background, etc.
  2. a standard based on the past average performance of a given individual.
Mathematics.
  1. a real-valued, nonnegative function whose domain is a vector space, with properties such that the function of a vector is zero only when the vector is zero, the function of a scalar times a vector is equal to the absolute value of the scalar times the function of the vector, and the function of the sum of two vectors is less than or equal to the sum of the functional values of each vector. The norm of a real number is its absolute value.
  2. the greatest difference between two successive points of a given partition.

Origin of norm

First recorded in 1815–25, norm is from the Latin word norma carpenter's square, rule, pattern

OTHER WORDS FROM norm

norm·less, adjective

Definition for norm (2 of 2)

Norm.

Example sentences from the Web for norm

British Dictionary definitions for norm (1 of 4)

norm
/ (nɔːm) /

noun

an average level of achievement or performance, as of a group or person
a standard of achievement or behaviour that is required, desired, or designated as normal
sociol an established standard of behaviour shared by members of a social group to which each member is expected to conform
maths
  1. the length of a vector expressed as the square root of the sum of the square of its components
  2. another name for mode (def. 6)
geology the theoretical standard mineral composition of an igneous rock

Word Origin for norm

C19: from Latin norma carpenter's rule, square

British Dictionary definitions for norm (2 of 4)

Norm
/ (nɔːm) /

noun

a stereotype of the unathletic Australian male

Word Origin for Norm

from a cartoon figure in the government-sponsored Life, Be In It campaign

British Dictionary definitions for norm (3 of 4)

norm.

abbreviation for

normal

British Dictionary definitions for norm (4 of 4)

Norm.

abbreviation for

Norman