factor
Americannoun
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one of the elements contributing to a particular result or situation.
Poverty is only one of the factors in crime.
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Mathematics. 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.
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Biochemistry. any of certain substances necessary to a biochemical or physiological process, especially those whose exact nature and function are unknown.
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a business organization that lends money on accounts receivable or buys and collects accounts receivable.
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a person who acts or transacts business for another; an agent.
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an agent entrusted with the possession of goods to be sold in the agent's name; a merchant earning a commission by selling goods belonging to others.
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a person or business organization that provides money for another's new business venture; one who finances another's business.
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Scot. the steward or bailiff of an estate.
verb (used with object)
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Mathematics. to express (a mathematical quantity) as a product of two or more quantities of like kind, as 30 = 235, or x 2 − y 2 = (x +y ) (x − y ).
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to act as a factor for.
verb (used without object)
verb phrase
noun
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an element or cause that contributes to a result
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maths
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one of two or more integers or polynomials whose product is a given integer or polynomial
2 and 3 are factors of 6
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an integer or polynomial that can be exactly divided into another integer or polynomial
1, 2, 3, and 6 are all factors of 6
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(foll by identifying numeral) med any of several substances that participate in the clotting of blood
factor VIII
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a person who acts on another's behalf, esp one who transacts business for another
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commerce a business that makes loans in return for or on security of trade debts
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former name for a gene
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commercial law a person to whom goods are consigned for sale and who is paid a factorage
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(in Scotland) the manager of an estate
verb
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One of two or more numbers or expressions that are multiplied to obtain a given product. For example, 2 and 3 are factors of 6, and a + b and a − b are factors of a 2 − b 2.
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A substance found in the body, such as a protein, that is essential to a biological process. For example, growth factors are needed for proper cell growth and development.
Usage
Factor (sense 1) should only be used to refer to something which contributes to a result. It should not be used to refer to a part of something such as a plan or arrangement; instead a word such as component or element should be used
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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factorabilitynoun
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factorshipnoun
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subfactornoun
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underfactornoun
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factorableadjective
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unfactorableadjective
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unfactoredadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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factorsimple
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factorssimple
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have factoredperfect
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has factoredperfect
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am factoringprogressive
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are factoringprogressive
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is factoringprogressive
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have been factoringperfect progressive
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has been factoringperfect progressive
Past
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factoredsimple
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had factoredperfect
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was factoringprogressive
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were factoringprogressive
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had been factoringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of factor
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English facto(u)r, from Latin factor “maker, perpetrator,” equivalent to fac(ere) “to make, do” + -tor agent noun suffix; see -tor
Explanation
A factor is a part or element that contributes to a result. If you only fly budget airlines and refuse to stay anywhere but youth hostels, then money is probably a big factor in your travel plans. The word factor doubles as both noun and verb. A factor is an element that influences something, like many factors that contribute to global warming. To factor means to consider something relevant when making a decision or conclusion, like factoring in the weather and traffic when figuring out how long the drive will be. And if it's not relevant? Then you factor it out.
Vocabulary lists containing factor
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 4
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Make Do: Fac
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Meta has said glasses are likely to be the new dominant form factor for non-smartphone AI devices, in part because of what the company believes is a large addressable market.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
"It's been a big factor in retention, and certainly a fluid border is going to make life much easier," he told AFP, calling it "very, very positive".
From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026
Very tough choice because you have to factor in injuries, injury and illness in Rice's case, and the fact we are now at the sudden-death stage of the World Cup.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
There’s another factor: Trump is popular in Graham’s home state of South Carolina.
From Slate ● Jul. 13, 2026
And my dad will especially go for it, because of the Little Five Points factor.
From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli
Higher fuel prices, tariffs and other factors are driving up the costs for making products.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
India outplayed England in all departments across the four days, which could come down to a number of factors.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
Researchers found that many of the most important modifiable dementia risk factors, including low education, high blood pressure, and smoking, vary dramatically between countries.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 13, 2026
Both factors appear to have run their course, according to Ruggles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
A review of the other factors set out above does not provide conclusive evidence that the witness, Ralph Meyers, perjured himself at the original trial.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
These results were more overt when the analysts factored in class and status dynamics.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
Major athletics events frequently operate at a loss when costs including security, marshalling, appearance fees and broadcast infrastructure are factored in, particularly if there is no sponsor.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
Ipsen said it expects the deal to be completed in the third quarter, subject to customary closing conditions, and that the impact of the acquisition is factored into its full-year guidance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
The efficient-markets hypothesis, developed decades ago by economists at the University of Chicago, stipulates that all available information is already factored into the market price.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 25, 2026
Nathan factored into his data collection the fact that the modern corn in the square shape had two more weeks to grow than the traditional corn in the circular shape.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
“We’re not even totally factoring much into the guidance, so consider that huge upside potential.”
From MarketWatch ● May 28, 2026
This capability has been showcased in a research setting before, though only by factoring small numbers.
From Barron's ● May 22, 2026
Morningstar raises its fair-value estimate for SK Telecom ADRs to $44.70 from $35.00, factoring in a 50% discount for capital gains tax on sale and illiquidity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026
Markets have reacted to these events by factoring in higher inflation and borrowing costs, and those factors have led to a global rollercoaster on bond markets.
From BBC ● May 5, 2026
I’m really not in the mood to divvy up everything into eleven equal parts, factoring in age, body weight, and physical output.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
