Mass: meaning, definitions and examples

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mass

 

[ mæs ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

physics

The quantity of matter which a body contains, as measured by its acceleration under a given force or by the force exerted on it by a gravitational field.

Synonyms

density, volume, weight

Examples of usage

  • The mass of an object is directly proportional to its weight.
  • In physics, mass is often measured in kilograms.
Context #2 | Noun

large amount

A large number or quantity of something.

Synonyms

bulk, load, quantity

Examples of usage

  • A mass of people gathered in the square.
  • They found a mass of evidence to support their theory.
Context #3 | Verb

gather together in a crowd

To assemble or cause to assemble in large numbers or in a disordered manner.

Synonyms

assemble, congregate, gather

Examples of usage

  • The protesters began to mass outside the government building.
  • Clouds began to mass in the sky, indicating an approaching storm.

Translations

Translations of the word "mass" in other languages:

🇵🇹 massa

🇮🇳 द्रव्यमान

🇩🇪 Masse

🇮🇩 massa

🇺🇦 маса

🇵🇱 masa

🇯🇵 質量 (しつりょう)

🇫🇷 masse

🇪🇸 masa

🇹🇷 kütle

🇰🇷 질량 (질량)

🇸🇦 كتلة

🇨🇿 hmotnost

🇸🇰 hmotnosť

🇨🇳 质量 (zhìliàng)

🇸🇮 masa

🇮🇸 massi

🇰🇿 массасы

🇬🇪 მასა

🇦🇿 kütlə

🇲🇽 masa

Etymology

The word 'mass' originated from the Old English word 'mæsse', which in turn came from the Latin word 'missa'. Originally used in the context of religious ceremonies, it later evolved to refer to a large quantity of matter or people. The concept of mass in physics was introduced by Isaac Newton in the 17th century, leading to further developments in the field of science and technology.

See also: amass, massacre, massage, masses, masseur, masseuse, massive.

Word Frequency Rank

At #899 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.