approximation — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The act, process or result of approximating, as

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   At the back of the cupboard, you find your interview skirt, the one you bought when you had cash to purchase an approximation of the fashion spreads you mulled over in magazines.

2. The act, process or result of approximating, as: An imprecise solution or result that is adequate for a defined purpose.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. The act, process or result of approximating, as: The act of bringing together the edges of tissue to be sutured.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   coaptation

4. The act, process or result of approximating, as: The act of producing a near-simulation of the pronunciation of a foreign language for a loanword therefrom, or any given pronunciation resulting from that act.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   For some loanwords borrowed from French into English, the standard English pronunciation is an approximation of the French, as with denoument.

Noun

1. an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth

   Synonyms

   estimateestimationidea

   Broader terms

   calculationcomputationfiguringreckoning

   Examples

   an estimate of what it would cost

   a rough idea how long it would take

2. the quality of coming near to identity (especially close in quantity)

   Broader terms

   similarity

3. an imprecise or incomplete account

   Broader terms

   version

   Examples

   newspapers gave only an approximation of the actual events

4. the act of bringing near or bringing together especially the cut edges of tissue

   Synonyms

   bringing close together

   Broader terms

   joiningconnectionconnexion