Parameter: meaning, definitions and examples

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parameter

 

[ pəˈræmɪtər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

mathematics

A quantity or constant whose value varies with other variables or circumstances.

Synonyms

element, factor, variable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
parameter

Used in technical or scientific contexts to refer to a measurable or definable characteristic that can vary and affect the outcome of an experiment or system.

  • In this experiment, we will change one parameter at a time to observe its effect on the results.
  • The parameters of the system must be adjusted to achieve optimal performance.
variable

Primarily used in mathematics, statistics, and science to refer to an element, feature, or factor that is liable to change or vary; in programming, it represents storage locations with a changeable value.

  • In the equation y = mx + b, 'x' is the independent variable.
  • We need to declare a new variable to store the user's input.
factor

Used when referring to a contributing cause or influence that affects a result or outcome; commonly used in discussions about conditions, circumstances, or influences.

  • Several factors contributed to the success of the project.
  • Lack of sleep is a major factor in decreased productivity.
element

Used to refer to a fundamental or essential part of a larger whole, often employed in various fields such as chemistry, design, or general descriptions.

  • Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe.
  • The design includes several elements of modern architecture.

Examples of usage

  • The parameter a in the equation y = ax + b represents the slope of the line.
  • In statistics, the parameter of a normal distribution is its mean and standard deviation.
Context #2 | Noun

computing

A piece of data passed to a subroutine or function for use as an argument.

Synonyms

argument, input, value.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
parameter

Used primarily in technical fields such as mathematics, statistics, and computer science to refer to a fixed element that helps to define or control a system or set conditions.

  • Adjust the parameters to see how the model changes.
  • The parameters of the research study were strictly defined.
argument

Commonly used in discussions about logic, philosophy, and computer programming. In the context of programming, it refers to the data you pass into a function. When used in everyday language, it describes a reason or explanation given to support an idea or viewpoint.

  • Her argument was well-reasoned and persuasive.
  • In this function, you need to provide three arguments: x, y, and z.
value

Used in a wide range of contexts to describe the numerical amount, importance, or usefulness of something. In programming, it refers to the data assigned to a variable.

  • The value of x in this equation is 10.
  • Honesty is a core value of our company.
input

Often used in technology and everyday contexts to describe information or data provided to a system or conversation. It conveys the idea of receiving information or feedback for further processing.

  • The system requires user input for personalization.
  • We value your input on this project.

Examples of usage

  • The function takes two parameters, radius and height, to calculate the volume of a cylinder.
  • In programming, parameters are used to customize the behavior of functions.
Context #3 | Noun

linguistics

A linguistic element that contributes to the meaning of a sentence.

Synonyms

component, element, part.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
parameter

Used in scientific, mathematical, and technical contexts to describe a numerical or measurable factor that defines a system or sets the conditions of its operation.

  • Adjust the parameters of the experiment to see if the results change
element

Used to describe a basic part of something more complex, can be used in various fields like chemistry, design, or general discussion.

  • Hydrogen is an element in the periodic table; Trust is an essential element of any good relationship
component

Refers to a part or element of a larger system or machine, often used in engineering and technology.

  • The motherboard is a critical component of the computer
part

A general term that can be used in numerous contexts to describe a piece of something bigger, often used in everyday conversation.

  • I need to replace a part in my car

Examples of usage

  • In the sentence 'She runs quickly,' 'quickly' is an adverbial parameter.
  • Adjectives and adverbs are common parameters in language.

Translations

Translations of the word "parameter" in other languages:

🇵🇹 parâmetro

🇮🇳 पैरामीटर

🇩🇪 Parameter

🇮🇩 parameter

🇺🇦 параметр

🇵🇱 parametr

🇯🇵 パラメータ

🇫🇷 paramètre

🇪🇸 parámetro

🇹🇷 parametre

🇰🇷 매개변수

🇸🇦 معامل

🇨🇿 parametr

🇸🇰 parameter

🇨🇳 参数

🇸🇮 parameter

🇮🇸 breyta

🇰🇿 параметр

🇬🇪 პარამეტრი

🇦🇿 parametr

🇲🇽 parámetro

Etymology

The word 'parameter' originates from the Greek word 'parametros', which means 'alongside' or 'around'. It was first used in the field of mathematics to describe a variable that determines the characteristics of a system. Over time, the term has been adopted in various fields such as computing, linguistics, and statistics, with each discipline giving it a unique interpretation.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,661, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.