What does "approximation" mean?
The act, process or result of approximating, as
Approximation
/əˌpɹɒk.sɪˈmeɪ.ʃən/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act, process or result of approximating, as
- Grammar: approximation is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: estimate, estimation, access, accession.
- Useful contrasts: actual, angular kinetic energy, geometric formula.
- Usage evidence: Purity is at best an approximation.
How to use "approximation"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "approximation" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "approximation" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "approximation" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "approximation" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "approximation" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "estimate" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "approximation", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act, process or result of approximating, as countable, uncountable
"At the back of the cupboard, you find your interview skirt, the one you bought when you had cash to purchase an approximation of the fashion spreads you mulled over in magazines."
- 2 the act of bringing near or bringing together especially the cut edges of tissue wordnet
- 3 The act, process or result of approximating, as:; An imprecise solution or result that is adequate for a defined purpose. countable, uncountable
- 4 the quality of coming near to identity (especially close in quantity) wordnet
- 5 The act, process or result of approximating, as:; The act of bringing together the edges of tissue to be sutured. countable, uncountable
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth wordnet
- 7 The act, process or result of approximating, as:; The act of producing a near-simulation of the pronunciation of a foreign language for a loanword therefrom, or any given pronunciation resulting from that act. countable, uncountable
"For some loanwords borrowed from French into English, the standard English pronunciation is an approximation of the French, as with denoument."
- 8 an imprecise or incomplete account wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"Purity is at best an approximation."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "approximation"?
Common synonyms include: estimate, estimation, access, accession, accord, accordance.
How do you use "approximation" in a sentence?
Purity is at best an approximation.
How do you pronounce "approximation"?
Pronounced /əˌpɹɒk.sɪˈmeɪ.ʃən/.
Etymology
From approximate + -ion.