dimension
/daɪˈmenʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /daɪˈmenʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /də-ˈmen(t)-shən also dī-/ (ame, mw)
dimension — noun
- dimensionsingular
- dimensionsplural
1. a number that tells you how large something is by showing the distance from one
a number that tells you how large something is by showing the distance from one side to another
The carpenter checked the width and height dimensions of the door before cutting the wood.
collocation: check the dimensions of [something]
What are the exact dimensions of that cardboard box?
collocation: exact dimensions of [object]
Kevin measured the width and height dimensions of the old table.
The window’s dimensions are ninety centimetres wide and one hundred and twenty tall.
Lien wrote down the dimensions of each room in the notebook.
- measurement
more general; dimension implies a specific direction (length, width, or height)
- size
refers to how big something is overall, not a single directional measurement
- proportion
focuses on the relationship between dimensions rather than the numbers themselves
文法句型
dimension(s) + of + object
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form when describing the complete size of an object. The pattern 'dimensions of + object' is the most common grammatical frame.
常見錯誤
❗ 'The dimension of the box are 30 by 50 cm.' ✅ 'The dimensions of the box are 30 by 50 cm.' — use the plural 'dimensions' when stating width, height, and length together.
2. a particular part or side of a situation, problem, or idea that can be examined
a particular part or side of a situation, problem, or idea that can be examined or considered separately
The financial dimension of the hospital building project was more important than the team had realised.
collocation: [adjective] dimension of [something]
Roya’s article explores the cultural dimension of the food people eat every day.
The emotional dimension of the war novel made it popular among high school students.
The land dispute had a legal dimension that the city committee did not consider.
Stefan argued that the moral dimension was ignored in the debate on housing policy.
文法句型
[adjective] dimension of [something]
用法筆記
Frequently paired with adjectives describing the type of perspective (cultural, political, social, economic, emotional, moral, legal). Often in the singular; the plural ('dimensions') implies multiple distinct facets.
常見錯誤
❗ 'There are many dimension to this issue.' ✅ 'There are many dimensions to this issue.' — use the plural when referring to multiple aspects.
❗ 'The dimension of trust is important.' (when meaning 'aspect') ✅ 'The dimension of trust is important.' — this is actually correct; but be careful not to confuse this sense with sense 1 (physical measurement) when the context is abstract.
3. the general size, scale, or importance of a situation, problem, or task, especia
the general size, scale, or importance of a situation, problem, or task, especially when it is larger or more serious than expected
The full dimension of the disaster only became clear after the flood waters went down.
the full dimension of [situation noun]
Lien was shocked by the dimension of the task that lay ahead of her.
No one had understood the dimension of the textile mill's financial problems.
The dimension of the challenge grew as the rescue team learned more about the mountain conditions.
文法句型
the full / true dimension of [something]
用法筆記
Typically used in the singular with 'the' and often modified by 'full' or 'true'. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not take numerical measurements — it describes scale in a more abstract, qualitative way.
常見錯誤
❗ 'I measured the dimension of the problem.' (when meaning 'scale') ✅ 'I realised the dimension of the problem.' — 'measure' suggests physical measurement (sense 1); use verbs like 'understand', 'realise', or 'grasp' with this sense.
dimension — verb
- dimensionpresent simple I / you / we / they
- dimensions3rd person singular
- dimensioning-ing form
- dimensionedpast simple
1. to cut or shape a piece of material so that it has the exact measurements needed
to cut or shape a piece of material so that it has the exact measurements needed for a particular purpose
The carpenter dimensioned each oak plank to forty centimetres before building the shelf.
Faisal dimensioned the steel beams to match the new bridge design exactly.
All the granite blocks were carefully dimensioned to the architect’s specifications at the factory.
Mizuki dimensioned each steel beam to match the bridge engineer’s exact specifications.
文法句型
dimension + object + to/for + specification
用法筆記
A technical term used mainly in carpentry, metalworking, and construction. Frequently appears in the passive voice because the focus is on the material being cut rather than the person doing the cutting.
常見錯誤
❗ 'He dimensioned the problem.' (to mean 'understood the size of') ✅ 'He grasped the dimension of the problem.' — 'dimension' as a verb is limited to physical cutting and marking; it cannot replace 'understand' or 'grasp' in abstract contexts.
2. to write or draw the measurements of something on a technical drawing, plan, or
to write or draw the measurements of something on a technical drawing, plan, or blueprint
The structural engineer dimensioned the roof plan before passing it to the construction crew.
Hoa learned how to dimension architectural drawings in her first year at design school.
Each part was dimensioned on the blueprint with clear numbers and arrows.
Anong dimensioned every section of the floor plan so the builder could follow it.
文法句型
dimension + object + on + document
用法筆記
Used in architecture, engineering, and product design. The direct object is typically a drawing, plan, or blueprint. The passive construction ('was dimensioned on the blueprint') is very common in technical documentation.
常見錯誤
❗ 'Please dimension the walls of the room.' (meaning 'measure') ✅ 'Please measure the walls of the room and dimension the drawing.' — 'dimension' as a verb means to mark measurements on a drawing, not to take the measurements themselves.