factor

The definition of a factor is a contributor to something or is a number that divides another number without leaving a remainder.

(noun)

An example of factor would be eye witness accounts to a news report about a crime.
An example of factor is 9 to 27.

Factor is defined as to express a number as a product of two or more other numbers or to consider as an element.

(verb)

See factor in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. a person who carries on business transactions for another; commission merchant; agent for the sale of goods entrusted to his possession
2. an agent, as a banking or finance company, engaged in financing the operations of certain companies, or in financing wholesale and retail sales, through the purchase of accounts receivable
Origin: < fig. use of sense 4
any of the circumstances, conditions, etc. that bring about a result; element or constituent that makes a thing what it is
Biol. gene
Math. any of two or more quantities which form a product when multiplied together

Origin: ME factour < OFr facteur < L factor, doer, maker < pp. of facere, do

transitive verb

☆ Math. to resolve into factors

intransitive verb

to act in the capacity of a factor

Related Forms:

See factor in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

One that actively contributes to an accomplishment, result, or process: “Surprise is the greatest factor in war” (Tom Clancy). See Synonyms at element.
a. One who acts for someone else; an agent.
b. A person or firm that accepts accounts receivable as security for short-term loans.
Mathematics One of two or more quantities that divides a given quantity without a remainder. For example, 2 and 3 are factors of 6; a and b are factors of ab.
A quantity by which a stated quantity is multiplied or divided, so as to indicate an increase or decrease in a measurement: The rate increased by a factor of ten.
A gene. No longer in technical usage.
Physiology A substance that functions in a specific biochemical reaction or bodily process, such as blood coagulation.