parametric

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pa•ram•e•ter /pəˈræmɪtɚ/   n. [countable]

1. Usually, parameters. [plural] limits or boundaries;
   guidelines:
   Let's try to keep within the parameters of the discussion.
2. something that helps one measure or determine how good, useful, worthwhile, etc., something else is;
   factor:
   Stock prices during a recession are a useful parameter for judging long-term success.

See -meter-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pa•ram•e•ter  (pə ram′i tər), n. 

1. Mathematics
   • a constant or variable term in a function that determines the specific form of the function but not its general nature, as a in f(x) = ax, where a determines only the slope of the line described by f(x).
   • one of the independent variables in a set of parametric equations.
2. Statistics a variable entering into the mathematical form of any distribution such that the possible values of the variable correspond to different distributions.
3. Computing a variable that must be given a specific value during the execution of a program or of a procedure within a program.
4. Usually, parameters. limits or boundaries; guidelines:
   the basic parameters of our foreign policy.
5. characteristic or factor;
   aspect;
   element:
   a useful parameter for judging long-term success.

• Neo-Latin parametrum. See para-¹, -meter
• 1650–60

par•a•met•ric  (par′ə me′trik), par′a•met′ri•cal, adj.  Usage

4, 5. Some object strongly to the use of parameter in these newer senses. Nevertheless, the criticized uses are now well established both in educated speech and in edited writing.