form factor

noun

The ratio of the RMS value to the absolute mean of a sinusoidal wave (especially to that of an alternating current).

Meanings

nounform factor (plural form factors)

plural form factors

  1. natural sciencesThe ratio of the RMS value to the absolute mean of a sinusoidal wave (especially to that of an alternating current).
  2. natural sciencesAny of several functions that describe the unknown internal state of a particle.
  3. natural sciencesThe emissivity of a material.
  4. chemistryA function that describes the scattering power of an atom as function of the scattering angle.
  5. engineeringA factor describing the stress distribution of a body.
  6. artsThe geometry of an object, especially in engineering design; configuration.

    2007, March, Erin McKean, “Redefining the dictionary”, Technology Entertainment Design I want him to barely remember that this is the form factor that dictionaries used to come in.

    1 more example

    Shugart Associates first introduced the 5.25-inch form factor along with the first 5.25-inch floppy drive back in 1976.

    2004, Scott Mueller, Upgrading and Repairing Laptops, page 311

Synonyms & antonyms

Translations

Finnish muotokerroin, kokoluokka
  • muotokerroinThe ratio of the RMS value to the absolute mean
  • kokoluokkaThe geometry of an object in engineering design
  • muotokerroinin quantum field theory
German Formfaktor
  • Formfaktorin quantum field theory
Italian fattore di forma
  • fattore di formain quantum field theory
Romanian factor de formă
  • factor de formăin quantum field theory
Russian коэффициент формы, типоразмер
  • коэффициент формы (koefficijent formy)The ratio of the RMS value to the absolute mean
  • типоразмер (tiporazmer)The geometry of an object in engineering design
  • форм-фа́ктор (form-fáktor)in quantum field theory
Spanish factor de forma, factor formal
  • factor de formaThe geometry of an object in engineering design
  • factor formalThe geometry of an object in engineering design
  • factor de formain quantum field theory
Swedish formfaktor
  • formfaktorin quantum field theory
Turkish biçim katsayısı
  • biçim katsayısıin quantum field theory
Cite this entry
APA

form factor. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/form%20factor

MLA

“form factor.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/form%20factor. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “form factor,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/form%20factor.

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