approximation
noun
ap·prox·i·ma·tion
ə-ˌpräk-sə-ˈmā-shən 
1
: the act or process of drawing together
2
: the quality or state of being close or near
an approximation to the truth
an approximation of justice
3
: something that is approximate
especially
: a mathematical quantity that is close in value to but not the same as a desired quantity
Examples of approximation in a Sentence
This isn't an exact figure but I think it's a good approximation of what the land is worth.
The color of the paint isn't the exact same color as the vase, but it's a close approximation.
Recent Examples on the Web
However, because these edits were based on modern wolf DNA and computational modeling, the resulting animals are approximations of their ice age ancestors, not replicas.
—
John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
As announced today by genetic engineering company Colossal Biosciences, the long-extinct canine — or at least a very close approximation of it — has been successfully brought back to life.
—Degen Pener, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
Deliveries are the closest approximation of vehicle sales reported by Tesla but are not precisely defined in the company’s shareholder communications.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025
That would have given him more complicated Taylor approximations, with exponents greater than 2.
—Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for approximation
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John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
As announced today by genetic engineering company Colossal Biosciences, the long-extinct canine — or at least a very close approximation of it — has been successfully brought back to life.
—Degen Pener, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
Deliveries are the closest approximation of vehicle sales reported by Tesla but are not precisely defined in the company’s shareholder communications.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025
That would have given him more complicated Taylor approximations, with exponents greater than 2.
—Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for approximation
Cite this Entry
“Approximation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/approximation. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
approximation
noun
ap·prox·i·ma·tion
ə-ˌpräk-sə-ˈmā-shən
1
: a coming near or close (as in value)
2
: something approximate
especially
: an estimate or figure that is almost exact
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