CONSTANT

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does constant mean? 

• CONSTANT (noun)
  The noun CONSTANT has 2 senses:

1. a quantity that does not vary

2. a number representing a quantity assumed to have a fixed value in a specified mathematical context

  Familiarity information: CONSTANT used as a noun is rare.

• CONSTANT (adjective)
  The adjective CONSTANT has 3 senses:

1. unvarying in nature

2. steadfast in purpose or devotion or affection

3. uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

  Familiarity information: CONSTANT used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONSTANT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A quantity that does not vary

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

constant; constant quantity; invariable

Hypernyms ("constant" is a kind of...):

quantity (the concept that something has a magnitude and can be represented in mathematical expressions by a constant or a variable)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "constant"):

parameter; parametric quantity (a constant in the equation of a curve that can be varied to yield a family of similar curves)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A number representing a quantity assumed to have a fixed value in a specified mathematical context

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Context example:

the velocity of light is a constant

Hypernyms ("constant" is a kind of...):

number (a concept of quantity involving zero and units)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "constant"):

Avogadro's number; Avogadro number (the number of molecules in a mole of a substance (approximately 602,250,000,000,000,000,000,000))

Boltzmann's constant (constant used in the calculation of the ideal gas constant)

coefficient (a constant number that serves as a measure of some property or characteristic)

cosmological constant (an arbitrary constant in the equations of general relativity theory)

equilibrium constant ((chemistry) the ratio of concentrations when equilibrium is reached in a reversible reaction (when the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction))

gas constant; R; universal gas constant ((physics) the universal constant in the gas equation: pressure times volume = R times temperature; equal to 8.3143 joules per kelvin per mole)

constant of gravitation; G; gravitational constant; universal gravitational constant ((physics) the universal constant relating force to mass and distance in Newton's law of gravitation)

Hubble's constant; Hubble's parameter; Hubble constant; Hubble parameter ((cosmology) the ratio of the speed of recession of a galaxy (due to the expansion of the universe) to its distance from the observer; the Hubble constant is not actually a constant, but is regarded as measuring the expansion rate today)

ionic charge (the charge on an ion is equal to a constant charge e multiplied by an integer from 1 to 15)

constant of proportionality; factor of proportionality (the constant value of the ratio of two proportional quantities x and y; usually written y = kx, where k is the factor of proportionality)

c; light speed; speed of light (the speed at which light travels in a vacuum; the constancy and universality of the speed of light is recognized by defining it to be exactly 299,792,458 meters per second)

• CONSTANT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Unvarying in nature

Synonyms:

changeless; constant; invariant; unvarying

Context example:

principles of unvarying validity

Similar:

invariable (not liable to or capable of change)

Derivation:

constancy (the quality of being enduring and free from change or variation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Steadfast in purpose or devotion or affection

Context example:

constant as the northern star

Similar:

immutable (constant and unchanging)

staunch; steadfast; unswerving (firm and dependable especially in loyalty)

unfailing; unflagging (unceasing)

Also:

unchangeable (not changeable or subject to change)

faithful (steadfast in affection or allegiance)

stable (resistant to change of position or condition)

invariable (not liable to or capable of change)

Attribute:

constancy; stability (the quality of being enduring and free from change or variation)

Antonym:

inconstant (likely to change frequently often without apparent or cogent reason; variable)

Derivation:

constancy (faithfulness and dependability in personal attachments (especially sexual fidelity))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

Synonyms:

ceaseless; constant; incessant; never-ending; perpetual; unceasing; unremitting

Context example:

unremitting demands of hunger

Similar:

continuous; uninterrupted (continuing in time or space without interruption)

 Context examples 

Separate measurements from the European Space Agency’s Planck satellite, which maps the cosmic microwave background, predicted that the Hubble constant value should now be 67 kilometers per second per megaparsec.

(Measuring Growth of Universe Reveals a Mystery, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

When I stood still the sound was constant, so that it seemed to come from some stationary cause.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Franz and Emil are jolly little lads, quite after my own heart, for the mixture of German and American spirit in them produces a constant state of effervescence.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

In order to face the constant danger of hurt and even of destruction, his predatory and protective faculties were unduly developed.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

In mammals, many tissues such as the skin epidermis, the intestinal epithelium and the blood system, undergo constant turnover through life.

(Scientists find new type of cell that helps tadpoles’ tails regenerate, University of Cambridge)

She has worn herself away by constant sharpening.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Closer to the stars, near the inner edge of the habitable zone, the global average surface temperatures on the same planet stay almost constant.

(Earth-Sized 'Tatooine' Planets Could Be Habitable, NASA)

The genetic or structural type for the constant region of an antibody.

(Antibody Isotype, NCI Thesaurus)

A small asteroid has been discovered in an orbit around the sun that keeps it as a constant companion of Earth, and it will remain so for centuries to come.

(Small Asteroid Is Earth's Constant Companion, NASA)

“But perhaps,” observed Catherine, “though she has behaved so ill by our family, she may behave better by yours. Now she has really got the man she likes, she may be constant.”

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)