Vector: meaning, definitions and examples

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vector

[ˈvɛktər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

mathematics

A quantity having direction as well as magnitude, especially as determining the position of one point in space relative to another.

Synonyms

arrow, line segment, ray.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vector	As before, used in mathematics and physics. Can also be used in computing to describe a dynamic array. In physics class, we learned how to add vectors In programming, the vector class is very useful for dynamic arrays
arrow	Often used in everyday language to indicate direction or to point to something visually. Also used in archery and as a symbol in various contexts. He drew an arrow pointing to the right The archer shot an arrow at the target
line segment	Used in geometry to describe a part of a line that is bounded by two distinct end points. The line segment between points A and B is 5 cm long
ray	In geometry, a ray starts at a point and extends infinitely in one direction. Also used metaphorically to indicate something spreading out or a single beam of light. The sun's rays shone through the window In geometry, a ray starts at point A and goes through point B

Examples of usage

A vector pointing north with a magnitude of 5 units.
The velocity of the car can be represented as a vector.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

biology

A carrier of disease or infection, especially an organism that transmits a pathogen.

Synonyms

carrier, transmitter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vector	Used commonly in mathematics, science, and computer graphics to describe a quantity that has both magnitude and direction. It can also refer to a biological entity that carries and transmits a pathogen. The velocity vector of the car pointed eastward. Mosquitoes are vectors for malaria.
carrier	Used to describe an individual or entity that carries and possibly transmits a disease, or in transport and logistics to refer to a company or thing that transports goods or people. She is a carrier of the genetic mutation. FedEx is a global carrier of packages.
transmitter	Primarily used in electronics and telecommunication to describe a device that sends signals or data. It can also imply someone or something that spreads information or disease. The radio transmitter sends signals over long distances. He acted as a transmitter of rumors.

Word

Description / Examples

vector

Used commonly in mathematics, science, and computer graphics to describe a quantity that has both magnitude and direction. It can also refer to a biological entity that carries and transmits a pathogen.

The velocity vector of the car pointed eastward.
Mosquitoes are vectors for malaria.

carrier

Used to describe an individual or entity that carries and possibly transmits a disease, or in transport and logistics to refer to a company or thing that transports goods or people.

She is a carrier of the genetic mutation.
FedEx is a global carrier of packages.

transmitter

Primarily used in electronics and telecommunication to describe a device that sends signals or data. It can also imply someone or something that spreads information or disease.

The radio transmitter sends signals over long distances.
He acted as a transmitter of rumors.

Examples of usage

Mosquitoes are vectors for malaria.
Ticks can act as vectors for Lyme disease.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

computing

An array of data elements, especially one that represents a space in which each element corresponds to one of the dimensions of the space.

Synonyms

array, list.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vector	In programming, 'vector' is typically used to refer to a resizable array. It is often used in contexts where dynamic arrays are needed which can change in size automatically. The vector's size will automatically adjust when new elements are added. Vectors in C++ are part of the Standard Template Library.
array	An 'array' is used to store a collection of elements of the same type. Arrays have a fixed size that is defined when they are created. They are commonly used when you know the number of elements ahead of time. We declared an integer array to store the ages of the group members. Arrays in Java start with an index of 0.
list	'List' is used to describe a collection that can grow and shrink dynamically. Lists can store elements of various types and offers better flexibility compared to arrays. We used a list to keep track of user inputs because the number of inputs was unpredictable. In Python, a list is a versatile data structure.

Word

Description / Examples

vector

In programming, 'vector' is typically used to refer to a resizable array. It is often used in contexts where dynamic arrays are needed which can change in size automatically.

The vector's size will automatically adjust when new elements are added.
Vectors in C++ are part of the Standard Template Library.

array

An 'array' is used to store a collection of elements of the same type. Arrays have a fixed size that is defined when they are created. They are commonly used when you know the number of elements ahead of time.

We declared an integer array to store the ages of the group members.
Arrays in Java start with an index of 0.

list

'List' is used to describe a collection that can grow and shrink dynamically. Lists can store elements of various types and offers better flexibility compared to arrays.

We used a list to keep track of user inputs because the number of inputs was unpredictable.
In Python, a list is a versatile data structure.

Examples of usage

In computer graphics, a vector is used to represent points in three-dimensional space.
The vector stores the pixel values of an image.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

Originates from the Latin word 'vector', which means 'one who carries' or 'conveyor'.
Initially used in the 17th century in the context of physics to describe motion.
Expanded in the 20th century to include mathematical and scientific applications.

Science

In physics, vectors are essential to represent forces, velocities, and accelerations.
In biology, a vector can refer to an organism that spreads a disease, like mosquitoes carrying malaria.
In computer graphics, vectors help create shapes and images, defining points in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space.

Technology

Vector graphics, unlike raster images, use mathematical equations to create cleaner, scalable images.
In programming, vectors refer to dynamic arrays that can grow or shrink in size, facilitating data storage.
Machine learning uses vectors to represent data points in multi-dimensional space, making it easier to analyze trends.

Mathematics

In mathematics, a vector is often represented as an arrow with both length (magnitude) and direction.
Vectors can be added or subtracted using tips and tails or using mathematical notation.
The dot product and cross product are two ways to operate with vectors, leading to different results based on their directions.

Pop Culture

In video games, vectors help control the movement of characters and objects through game worlds.
Movies like 'Transformers' use vector math for CGI to create realistic movement and transformations.
The popular app 'Adobe Illustrator' specializes in vector graphic design, allowing for detailed artwork that doesn't lose quality when resized.

Translations

Translations of the word "vector" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vetor

🇮🇳 वेक्टर

🇩🇪 Vektor

🇮🇩 vektor

🇺🇦 вектор

🇵🇱 wektor

🇯🇵 ベクトル

🇫🇷 vecteur

🇪🇸 vector

🇹🇷 vektör

🇰🇷 벡터

🇸🇦 متجه

🇨🇿 vektor

🇸🇰 vektor

🇨🇳 向量

🇸🇮 vektor

🇮🇸 vigur

🇰🇿 вектор

🇬🇪 ვექტორი

🇦🇿 vektor

🇲🇽 vector

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,572, 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.

...
3569 excited
3570 approached
3571 kids
3572 vector
3573 yesterday
3574 serum
3575 modes
...