Definitions for factorˈfæk tər

fac•torˈfæk tər(n.)

one of the elements contributing to a particular result or situation.
one of two or more numbers, algebraic expressions, or the like, that when multiplied together produce a given product; a divisor:
6 and 3 are factors of 18.
Category: Math
any of certain substances necessary to a biochemical or physiological process, esp. those whose exact nature and function are unknown.
Category: Biochemistry
a business organization that lends money on accounts receivable or buys and collects accounts receivable.
Category: Business
an agent or merchant earning a commission by selling goods belonging to others.
Category: Business
a person or business organization that finances another's business.
Category: Business
(v.t.)to express (a mathematical quantity) as a product of two or more quantities of like kind, as 30 = 2 ∙ 3 ∙ 5, or x2−y2=(x+y) (x − y).
Category: Math
factor in or into, to include as a contributing element.
Category: Verb Phrase

1400–50; ME facto(u)r < L factor maker

fac′tor•ship`(n.)

factor(noun)
anything that contributes causally to a result
"a number of factors determined the outcome"
component, constituent, element, factor, ingredient(noun)
an abstract part of something
"jealousy was a component of his character"; "two constituents of a musical composition are melody and harmony"; "the grammatical elements of a sentence"; "a key factor in her success"; "humor: an effective ingredient of a speech"
divisor, factor(noun)
one of two or more integers that can be exactly divided into another integer
"what are the 4 factors of 6?"
agent, factor, broker(noun)
a businessman who buys or sells for another in exchange for a commission
factor(noun)
any of the numbers (or symbols) that form a product when multiplied together
factor(noun)
an independent variable in statistics
gene, cistron, factor(verb)
(genetics) a segment of DNA that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding DNA as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity
"genes were formerly called factors"
factor, factor in, factor out(verb)
resolve into factors
"a quantum computer can factor the number 15"
factor(verb)
be a contributing factor
"make things factor into a company's profitability"
factor, factor in, factor out(verb)
consider as relevant when making a decision
"You must factor in the recent developments"

factor(noun)ˈfæk tər
sth that influences what happens
The dry weather was a factor in size of the fire.
factorˈfæk tər
sth that increase the chance that sth will happen
What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

factor(Noun)
A doer, maker; a person who does things for another person or organization
The factor of the trading post bought the furs.
factor(Noun)
An agent or representative.
factor(Noun)
An integral part
factor(Noun)
Any of various objects multiplied together to form some whole
factor(Noun)
Influence; a phenomenon that affects the nature, the magnitude, and/or the timing of a consequence
The launch temperature was a factor of the Challenger disaster.
factor(Verb)
To find all the factors of (a number or other mathematical object) (the objects that divide it evenly).
factor(Verb)
To be a product of other objects.

Origin: From factor, from factus, perfect passive participle of facio.

Factor(noun)
one who transacts business for another; an agent; a substitute; especially, a mercantile agent who buys and sells goods and transacts business for others in commission; a commission merchant or consignee. He may be a home factor or a foreign factor. He may buy and sell in his own name, and he is intrusted with the possession and control of the goods; and in these respects he differs from a broker
Factor(noun)
a steward or bailiff of an estate
Factor(noun)
one of the elements or quantities which, when multiplied together, from a product
Factor(noun)
one of the elements, circumstances, or influences which contribute to produce a result; a constituent
Factor(verb)
to resolve (a quantity) into its factors