Q factor

noun

A measure of the quality of an electric circuit; the ratio of the reactance to the resistance.

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Meanings

noun
  1. A measure of the quality of an electric circuit; the ratio of the reactance to the resistance.
  2. cyclingThe distance between the pedal holes of a pair of crank arms mounted on the bottom bracket axle.

Origin

In the cycling sense, Q standing for quack – a reference to the wide stance and waddling gait of ducks, coined by American bicycle designer Grant Petersen in 1991.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Q factor. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Q%20factor

MLA

“Q factor.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Q%20factor. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Q factor,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Q%20factor.

Source: Q factor on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.