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denominator Definition

de·nomi·na·tor (dē näm′ə nāt′ər, di-)

noun

  1. Now Rare a person or thing that denominates
  2. a shared characteristic
  3. the usual level; standard
  4. Math. the term below or to the right of the line in a fraction; the divisor of the numerator 7 is the denominator of

denominator Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • find: Your main consideration is finding the lowest common denominator of the people who will be viewing the image.
  • become: In this context, the community became the common denominator.
  • use: Why do we always have to use the lowest common denominator?
  • have: With all of us being involved in turf care we all had a common denominator to start from.
  • provide: The significance of evidence-based nursing interventions, supported by outcome measures, may provide a powerful denominator in promoting change.

Adjective modifier

  • common: Yet somehow there seems to be a common denominator to all the music you have chosen.
  • low: Sadly, in the rush for the lowest common denominator, others are unlikely to follow our lead.
  • least: Management is reduced to a least common denominator of housekeeping.
  • small: Each listed inch fraction has the smallest denominator that keeps the value within the ISO 216 tolerance limits.
  • only: The only common denominator may be a shared locality.
  • high: Adopting flexible benefits can avoid the pressure of a merged company having to take all benefits up to the highest common denominator.

Modifies a noun

  • datum: Source of denominator data - Government Actuary's Department.
  • theory: This has been referred to as the lowest common denominator theory of cancer treatment.
  • degree: In general they are referred to as the numerator and denominator degrees of freedom ( because F is actually a ratio ).
  • approach: Reviews adopt a lowest common denominator approach which compile the cheapest work-force consistent with minimum standards.

Noun used with modifier

  • fraction: She counted out lots corresponding to the posited fraction denominator.
  • population: However, rates cannot be provided as population denominators are not available for illnesses ascribed to these other jobs.

Possessives

  • approach: From the outset, I have been keen that a ' highest common denominator ' approach should apply.

Preposition: of

  • fraction: What is needed is a number that is a common multiple of the denominators of the two fractions.
  • ratio: Whenever a zero appears in the denominator of the ratio of two rational numbers, mathematicians found themselves in difficulties.
denominator Quotes

Is an institution always a man's shadow shortened in the sun, the lowest common denominator of everybody in it?

—Jarrell, Randall

If you fear making anyone mad, then you ultimately probe for the lowest common denominator of human achievement.

—Carter,Jimmy (James Earl)

Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh.

—Auden,W(ystan) H(ugh)