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
Other writers admired the density with which Towne constructed worlds, and raised their game.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 3 July 2024
By Wednesday afternoon, traffic on Highway 17 and other routes to the coast was starting to back up heavily in spots, while the density of colorful umbrellas and beach tents by the ocean continued to grow.
—Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 3 July 2024
According to the Riemann hypothesis, the density of primes decreases according to the prime number theorem, and the primes are evenly distributed according to this density.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 1 July 2024
After the delivery person dropped off the package, Joely Day, an editor, opened it up to reveal stacks of rectangular bookplates signed by Fosse in a spidery hand, in varying densities of ink.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for density 
Peter Debruge, Variety, 3 July 2024
By Wednesday afternoon, traffic on Highway 17 and other routes to the coast was starting to back up heavily in spots, while the density of colorful umbrellas and beach tents by the ocean continued to grow.
—Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 3 July 2024
According to the Riemann hypothesis, the density of primes decreases according to the prime number theorem, and the primes are evenly distributed according to this density.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 1 July 2024
After the delivery person dropped off the package, Joely Day, an editor, opened it up to reveal stacks of rectangular bookplates signed by Fosse in a spidery hand, in varying densities of ink.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for density
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'density.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near density
Cite this Entry
“Density.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/density. Accessed 15 Jul. 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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