parameter

[ puh-ram-i-ter ]
/ pəˈræm ɪ tər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR parameter ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Mathematics.
  1. a constant or variable term in a function that determines the specific form of the function but not its general nature, as a in f(x) = ax, where a determines only the slope of the line described by f(x).
  2. one of the independent variables in a set of parametric equations.
Statistics. a variable entering into the mathematical form of any distribution such that the possible values of the variable correspond to different distributions.
Computers. a variable that must be given a specific value during the execution of a program or of a procedure within a program.
Usually parameters. limits or boundaries; guidelines: the basic parameters of our foreign policy.
characteristic or factor; aspect; element: a useful parameter for judging long-term success.

Origin of parameter

From the New Latin word parametrum, dating back to 1650–60. See para-1, -meter

usage note for parameter

4, 5. Some object strongly to the use of parameter in these newer senses. Nevertheless, the criticized uses are now well established both in educated speech and in edited writing.

OTHER WORDS FROM parameter

par·a·met·ric [par-uh-me-trik] /ˌpær əˈmɛ trɪk/, par·a·met·ri·cal, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH parameter

boundary limit parameter variable (see synonym study at boundary) (see usage note at the current entry) parameter perimeter

Words nearby parameter

paramedic, paramedical, paramenia, parament, paramesonephric duct, parameter, parameterize, parametric amplifier, parametric equalizer, parametric equation, parametric equations

Words related to parameter

framework, specification, criterion, restriction, guideline, limitation, constant

Example sentences from the Web for parameter

British Dictionary definitions for parameter

parameter
/ (pəˈræmɪtə) /

noun

one of a number of auxiliary variables in terms of which all the variables in an implicit functional relationship can be explicitly expressed See parametric equations
a variable whose behaviour is not being considered and which may for present purposes be regarded as a constant, as y in the partial derivative ∂f(x,y)/∂ x
statistics a characteristic of the distribution of a population, such as its mean, as distinct from that of a sample Compare statistic
informal any constant or limiting factor a designer must work within the parameters of budget and practicality

Derived forms of parameter

parametric (ˌpærəˈmɛtrɪk) or parametrical, adjective

Word Origin for parameter

C17: from New Latin; see para- 1, -meter

Medical definitions for parameter

parameter
[ pə-răm′ĭ-tər ]

n.

One of a set of measurable factors, such as temperature and pressure, that define a system and determine its behavior and are varied in an experiment.
A factor that determines a range of variations; a boundary.
A statistical quantity, such as a mean or standard deviation of a total population, that is calculated from data and describes a characteristic of the population as opposed to a sample from the population.
A psychoanalytic tactic, other than interpretation, used by the analyst to further the patient's progress.
A factor that restricts what is possible or what results. Not in technical use.
A distinguishing characteristic or feature. Not in technical use.

Other words from parameter

par′a•met′ric (păr′ə-mĕt′rĭk) adj.

Cultural definitions for parameter

parameter
[ (puh-ram-uh-tuhr) ]

A quantity or number on which some other quantity or number depends. An informal example is, “Depending on the traffic, it takes me between twenty minutes and an hour to drive to work”; here, “traffic” is the parameter that determines the time it takes to get to work. In statistics, a parameter is an unknown characteristic of a population — for example, the number of women in a particular precinct who will vote Democratic.

notes for parameter

The term is often mistakenly used to refer to the limits of possible values a variable can have because of confusion with the word perimeter.