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factor

fac·tor [ ˈfak-tər]

factor

noun

[ˈfak-tər]

Definition of factor

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : one who acts or transacts business for another: such as

a : broker sense 1b

b : one that lends money to producers and dealers (as on the security of accounts receivable)

2a(1) : one that actively contributes to the production of a result : ingredient
//price wasn't a factor in the decision

(2) : a substance that functions in or promotes the function of a particular physiological process or bodily system
//a clotting factor that facilitates blood coagulation

b : a good or service (such as land, labor, or capital) used in the process of production

3 : gene

4a : any of the numbers or symbols in mathematics that when multiplied together form a product (see product sense 1)
also : a number or symbol that divides another number or symbol

b : a quantity by which a given quantity is multiplied or divided in order to indicate a difference in measurement
//costs increased by a factor of 10

factor

verb

factored; factoring\ ˈfak-t(ə-)riŋ \

Definition of factor (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to work as a factor

transitive verb

1 : to resolve into factors

2a : to include or admit as a factor —used with in or into
//factor inflation into our calculations

b : to exclude as a factor —used with out

Other Words from factor

Noun

factorship \ ˈfak-tər-ˌship \ noun

Verb

factorable \ ˈfak-t(ə-)rə-bəl \ adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms for dainty

Synonyms: Noun

Did You Know

In Latin factor means simply "doer". So in English a factor is an "actor" or element or ingredient in some situation or quantity. Charm can be a factor in someone's success, and lack of exercise can be a factor in producing a poor physique. In math we use factor to mean a number that can be multiplied or divided to produce a given number (for example, 5 and 8 are factors of 40). And in biology a gene may be called a factor, since genes are ingredients in the total organism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
//But for every five-degree-C increase above its ideal storage temperature, the stabilizer depletes by a factor of 1.7, according to the Halo Trust.
— Peter Schwartzstein, Scientific American, "Climate Change May Be Blowing Up Arms Depots," 14 Nov. 2019
//However, this should be offset by factors including cost savings, with the company forecasting efficiencies of 120 million pounds ($154 million) by the end of this financial year.
— Washington Post, "Burberry Needs a Revolution," 14 Nov. 2019
//The news reports cited alcoholism, homelessness and hypothermia as contributing factors in her death.
— Carmel Mc Mahon, Longreads, "Brigid, Magdalene, My Mother, and Me," 13 Nov. 2019
//Microplastic particles outnumber larval fish in the slicks by a factor of seven to one, and dissections of the larvae reveal that many have plastic in their bellies.
— Wired, "Baby Fish Feast on Microplastics, and Then Get Eaten," 11 Nov. 2019
//And as well as, negative attitudes towards breastfeeding in public and the workplace, limited awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding, as well as cuts in public health funding have all been highlighted as contributing factors.
— Ernestine Gheyoh Ndzi, Quartz, "Why the UK has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world," 11 Nov. 2019
//Bittman, who makes most of his coffee at home, says many coffee shops are overpriced by a factor of at least four.
— NBC News, "How to make a better cup of coffee, according to Mark Bittman," 10 Nov. 2019
//There are multiple ways to look at NAEP results, and the official website has a tool for downloading data by various factors.
— al, "Alabama schools struggle compared to southeast states, test shows," 7 Nov. 2019
//His death was ruled an accident, and the cause of death was heart disease, with cold exposure and alcohol poisoning listed as contributing factors, according to a spokeswoman for the medical examiner’s office.
— Katherine Rosenberg-douglas, chicagotribune.com, "First cold-related death of the season confirmed in Cook County," 7 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
//Potential league championship games are not factored into this ranking.
— Rich Exner, cleveland, "Breaking down schedules for college football playoff contenders LSU, Ohio State, Clemson, others," 15 Nov. 2019
//The top five runners from each school are factored into the team score.
— David Hinojosa, ExpressNews.com, "Boerne Champion girls hope for golden return," 7 Nov. 2019
//Reviews from students and teachers were also factored into the ranking, according to the report's methodology.
— Rebecca Hennes, Houston Chronicle, "The best public middle schools in the Houston area in 2020, according to Niche," 6 Nov. 2019
//The latest Russian cyberattacks could factor into WADA’s decision whether or not to punish Russia for possibly manipulating data at the center of the 2015 doping scandal.
— Nicole Perlroth, New York Times, "Microsoft Says Russians Hacked Antidoping Agency Computers," 28 Oct. 2019
//Hughes, who the Wings passed on drafting in 2018, factored in both of Vancouver’s first two goals, firing shots that Bo Horvat turned into a 2-2 tie.
— Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Red Wings' losing streak hits 5 with loss vs. Canucks at LCA, 5-2," 23 Oct. 2019
//You get penalized for throwing the ball away, but a 10-yard sack isn't factored one way or the other.
— Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Aaron Rodgers had a 'perfect game' by passer rating Sunday. How is it calculated? Is it even a good metric?," 21 Oct. 2019
//Today, the trade and conquering mindset of yore may not factor in, but idyllic ports and a touch of romance are just as motivating, especially when swooping in below the billowing white sails of Windstar’s intimate, 342-passenger Wind Surf.
— Elissa Garay, Condé Nast Traveler, "6 Stress-Free Cruises for First-Timers," 9 Oct. 2019
//With delayed viewing factored in, however, Colbert, Kimmel and Fallon all saw a viewership boost.
— Frank Pallotta, CNN, "Trump is giving late night TV plenty to talk about. Trouble is, viewership is falling," 4 Oct. 2019

First Known Use of factor

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1621, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

History and Etymology for factor

Noun

Middle English factour "doer, perpetrator, commercial agent," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin factor "maker, creator, perpetrator" (Medieval Latin, "commercial agent, broker"), from fac-, stem of facere "to make, bring about, perform, do" + -tor, agent suffix — more at fact

Verb

verbal derivative of factor entry 1

Dictionary Entries near factor

Phrases Related to factor

Rhesus factor

contributing factor

deciding factor

decisive/deciding/determining factor

sleaze factor

More Synonyms and Antonyms offactor

Synonyms & Antonyms of factor

1 a person who acts or does business for another

at the auction the high bidder for the painting was actually a factor for a wealthy art collector

Synonyms for factor

Words Related to factor

2 one of the parts that make up a whole

price was only one factor in my decision to buy the car

Synonyms for factor

Words Related to factor

subcomponent

Near Antonyms for factor

Antonyms for factor

whole

More Definitions forfactor

factor

noun

Financial Definition of factor

What It Is

A factor is a financial institution that purchases receivables from a company.

How It Works

Let's say Company XYZ sells widgets. It has about $1 million in receivables from customers who have not paid for their widgets.

Company XYZ needs cash right away because it is trying to finish building a new factory. It calls a factor, which purchases the receivables for $750,000. In the deal, Company XYZ gets $750,000 right away, and the factor gets the right to all the money from the receivables ($1 million). The factor then assumes the risk of customers paying late or not at all.

Why It Matters

Factors and factoring can be complicated, but the basic idea is that companies can trade cash flows later for cash flows now, which is useful for companies that need cash right away. It can also be expensive, as the example shows (Company XYZ gave up $250,000 of its receivables for the deal).

Because factors assume the risk of collecting the receivables, they are choosy about which companies they work with and the creditworthiness of the companies' customers.

Source: Investing Answers

factor

noun

English Language Learners Definition of factor

(Entry 1 of 2)

: something that helps produce or influence a result : one of the things that cause something to happen

mathematics : a number that evenly divides a larger number

: an amount by which another amount is multiplied or divided

factor

verb

English Language Learners Definition of factor (Entry 2 of 2)

: to consider or include (something) in making a judgment or calculation

: to not consider or include (something) in making a judgment or calculation

factor

noun

fac·tor | \ ˈfak-tər \

Kids Definition of factor

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : something that helps produce a result
//Price was a factor in my decision.

2 : any of the numbers that when multiplied together form a product
//The factors of 6 are 1, 2, 3, and 6.

factor

verb

factored; factoring

Kids Definition of factor (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to be considered in making a judgment
//Class participation will factor into your grade.

2 : to find the factors of a number

factor

noun

fac·tor | \ ˈfak-tər \

Medical Definition of factor

1a : something that actively contributes to the production of a result

b : a substance that functions in or promotes the function of a particular physiological process or bodily system

2 : gene

factor

noun

fac·tor

Legal Definition of factor

1 : one who acts or transacts business for another: as

a : a commercial agent who buys or sells goods for others on commission

b : one that lends money to producers and dealers (as on the security of accounts receivable)

2 : a person or thing that actively contributes to the production of a result
//a difference in salary based on a factor other than sex