approximation
noun
ap·prox·i·ma·tion
ə-ˌpräk-sə-ˈmā-shən 
1
: the act or process of drawing together
2
: the quality or state of being close or near
an approximation to the truth
an approximation of justice
3
: something that is approximate
especially
: a mathematical quantity that is close in value to but not the same as a desired quantity
Examples of approximation in a Sentence
This isn't an exact figure but I think it's a good approximation of what the land is worth.
The color of the paint isn't the exact same color as the vase, but it's a close approximation.
Recent Examples on the Web
The colors, font and typography were a crude approximation of the signs posted by the campaign advocating for the proposition’s passage.
—
Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024
The resulting animal will be a close approximation of a thylacine—or, in the company’s other de-extinction projects, a modern woolly mammoth or dodo.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024
Projects to resurrect animals that have gone extinct more recently — the mammoth, dodo and Tasmanian tiger — are reaching an inflection point, although the goal is to create a hybrid approximation of those creatures, not carbon copies.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 5 Oct. 2024
In 2021, Team USA played this like a real game, using the closest approximation of its starting lineup (Diana Taurasi was hurt, but four of the other starters were the same) to try to win.
—Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for approximation 
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Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024
The resulting animal will be a close approximation of a thylacine—or, in the company’s other de-extinction projects, a modern woolly mammoth or dodo.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024
Projects to resurrect animals that have gone extinct more recently — the mammoth, dodo and Tasmanian tiger — are reaching an inflection point, although the goal is to create a hybrid approximation of those creatures, not carbon copies.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 5 Oct. 2024
In 2021, Team USA played this like a real game, using the closest approximation of its starting lineup (Diana Taurasi was hurt, but four of the other starters were the same) to try to win.
—Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for approximation
Dictionary Entries Near approximation
Cite this Entry
“Approximation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/approximation. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
approximation
noun
ap·prox·i·ma·tion
ə-ˌpräk-sə-ˈmā-shən
1
: a coming near or close (as in value)
2
: something approximate
especially
: an estimate or figure that is almost exact
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