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noun

approximation

an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth

In a sentence

Six example sentences with approximation, each labelled with its topic.

  • The dashboard shows an approximation of active users, counted once an hour, so the number lags real traffic slightly.

    Technology

  • Before the survey, the builder gave an approximation of the timber needed, warning that the final count could vary.

    Architecture

  • Newton's laws remain a useful approximation at everyday speeds, breaking down only when objects travel near the speed of light.

    Science

  • The quarterly figure is an approximation, since three of the fund's holdings are valued only twice a year.

    Finance

  • Her grandmother's recipe gives an approximation for the flour, a handful or two, and leaves the rest to feel.

    Cooking

  • Population figures for the medieval city are an approximation built from tax rolls and the number of parishes.

    History

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Found in these word lists

Found in 3 published word listsAuthoritative

Each source is a published word list that contains approximation. No exam board publishes an official GRE, GMAT or SAT list; GMAT words come from GRE lists and the Academic Word List.