noun

vector

VEHK-tuh

noun

In math and physics, a quantity that has both a size (magnitude) and a direction.

"Velocity is a vector because it includes both speed and direction."

"The physics teacher drew an arrow to represent the force vector."

An organism, especially an insect, that carries and transmits a disease from one host to another.

"Mosquitoes are the main vector for malaria."

In computing, a resizable list of elements, or a piece of graphics defined by mathematical outlines rather than pixels.

"The illustrator saved the logo as a vector file so it could scale to any size."

verb

To direct or guide something, especially an aircraft, toward a destination.

"Air traffic control vectored the plane onto its final approach."

How to Use Vector

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething with direction and size (in math/physics), or a carrier that spreads disease.

Common mistake

In casual speech people sometimes use "vector" loosely to mean any direction or path, which blurs the precise math meaning.

Common pairings

disease vector vector graphics vector field

Word Forms

vectored past tense, vectors plural, vectors singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Velocity is a _____ because it includes both speed and direction.

Etymology

A learned borrowing from Latin vector ("carrier"), from vehere ("to carry") — the same root as "vehicle." The math sense was coined by Irish mathematician William Rowan Hamilton in 1846.

Rhymes for vector

hector rector sector ejector Spector director detector defector injector inspector collector protector

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