magnitude
noun
mag·ni·tude
ˈmag-nə-ˌtüd 
-ˌtyüd
1
a
: great size or extent
cannot wage a war of such magnitude—
A. N. Whitehead
A. N. Whiteheadthe magnitude of an earthquake
2
: the importance, quality, or caliber of something
evil of such magnitude as must, if possible, be prevented—Jane Austen
Jane Austena writer of first magnitude—Richard Plant
Richard Plant3
: a number representing the intrinsic (see intrinsic sense 1a) or apparent brightness of a celestial (see celestial entry 1 sense 2) body on a logarithmic scale in which an increase of one unit corresponds to a reduction in the brightness of light by a factor of 2.512
4
: a numerical quantitative measure expressed usually as a multiple of a standard unit
5
: the intensity of an earthquake represented by a number on an arbitrary scale
a magnitude six earthquake
Synonyms
Examples of magnitude in a Sentence
the magnitude of the issue can scarcely be overstated
the mountain's sheer magnitude usually leaves tourists speechless
Recent Examples on the Web
At least 126 people were killed and more than 188 others were injured as a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Tibet's holy city on Tuesday, according to Chinese state media.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025
Tuesday's earthquake reminded Kathmandu residents of the 7.8 magnitude quake that killed almost 9,000 people and injured over 20,000 others near Nepal's capital in 2015, the BBC added.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
However, the magnitude and complexity of the situation exceed their capacity to manage without federal assistance.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
The magnitude of the unemployment problem could not be hidden.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for magnitude 
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Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025
Tuesday's earthquake reminded Kathmandu residents of the 7.8 magnitude quake that killed almost 9,000 people and injured over 20,000 others near Nepal's capital in 2015, the BBC added.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
However, the magnitude and complexity of the situation exceed their capacity to manage without federal assistance.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
The magnitude of the unemployment problem could not be hidden.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for magnitude
Dictionary Entries Near magnitude
Cite this Entry
“Magnitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnitude. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
magnitude
noun
mag·ni·tude
ˈmag-nə-ˌt(y)üd
1
a
: great size or extent : bigness
2
: the importance of something in influence or effect
3
: degree of brightness
especially
: a number representing the brightness of a star
4
: the intensity of an earthquake represented by a number on a scale
Medical Definition
magnitude
noun
mag·ni·tude
ˈmag-nə-ˌt(y)üd
: relative size or extent
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