magnitude

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /mægnɪtjuːd/

• Audio (UK)

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Noun

Singular magnitude

Plural magnitudes

1. The exact or approximate size, extent or importance of something.
2. (mathematics) A number that is assigned to something so that it may be compared to others numerically; it is always a positive number (more than zero).
3. (astronomy) The apparent brightness of a star.
4. (geology) A measure of the energy of an earthquake (for example, on the Richter scale).