density
noun
den·si·ty
ˈden(t)-sə-tē 
plural densities
1
: the quality or state of being dense
measures of traffic density
the density of the cake
felt that the candidate's density on the subject of equality was alarming
the density of her prose
2
mathematics
: the quantity per unit of volume (see volume entry 1 sense 2), unit of area (see area sense 1), or unit of length: such as
a
chemistry
: the mass (see mass entry 2 sense 1c) of a substance per unit of volume
pure iron has a density of 7.8 grams per cubic centimeter
b
chemistry
: the distribution of a quantity (such as electricity or energy) per unit usually of space (such as length, area, or volume)
The drawback to using ethanol as a complete replacement for gasoline, however, is not only the high cost of its production from cellulose but also its lower energy density.—
John R. Regalbuto
John R. Regalbuto
c
: the average number of individuals or units per unit of space
a population density of 500 per square mile
a housing density of 10 houses per acre
3
physics
a
: the degree of opacity (see opacity sense 2) of a translucent medium
the fog's density
b
: the common logarithm of the opacity
Synonyms
Examples of density in a Sentence
We were surprised by the fog's density.
the density of her writing style
These instruments are used for measuring the density of the atmosphere.
Recent Examples on the Web
As part of the proposal that the City Council will consider Tuesday, Mahan and Councilmembers Dev Davis and Pam Foley have asked city staff to develop a process with clear submission requirements and objective criteria for evaluating project proposals, such as density levels or housing production.
—Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
Passenger density also adds another layer of difficulty.
—Julie Song, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Effect of weighted exercises on bone mineral density in post menopausal women.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
These data are useful for assessing settlement density on a regional scale and exceed values recorded in Belize and Guatemala.
—Anna Lagos, WIRED, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for density 
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Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
Passenger density also adds another layer of difficulty.
—Julie Song, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Effect of weighted exercises on bone mineral density in post menopausal women.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
These data are useful for assessing settlement density on a regional scale and exceed values recorded in Belize and Guatemala.
—Anna Lagos, WIRED, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for density
Articles Related to density
Dictionary Entries Near density
Cite this Entry
“Density.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/density. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
density
noun
den·si·ty
ˈden(t)-sət-ē
plural densities
1
: the quality or state of being dense
2
: the quantity of something per unit volume, unit area, or unit length: as
a
: the mass of a substance per unit volume
density expressed in grams per cubic centimeter
b
: the average number of individuals or units in a unit of area or volume
a population density of 500 per square mile
Medical Definition
density
noun
den·si·ty
ˈden(t)-sət-ē, -stē
plural densities
1
: the quantity per unit volume, unit area, or unit length: as
a
: the mass of a substance per unit volume
b
: the distribution of a quantity (as mass, electricity, or energy) per unit usually of space
c
: the average number of individuals or units per space unit
a population density of 500 per square mile
2
a
: the degree of opacity of a translucent medium
b
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