Common Denominator Definition & Meaning

American

British

Scientific

Cultural

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Etymology

Examples

Synonyms common denominator American

noun

1. Mathematics. a number that is a multiple of all the denominators of a set of fractions.

2. a trait, characteristic, belief, or the like common to or shared by all members of a group.

   Dedication to the cause of freedom was the common denominator of the American revolutionaries.

common denominator British

noun

1. an integer exactly divisible by each denominator of a group of fractions: 1/ 3 , 1/ 4 , and 1/ 6 have a common denominator of 12

2. a belief, attribute, etc, held in common by members of a class or group

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 common denominator Scientific

1. A quantity into which all the denominators of a set of fractions may be divided without a remainder. For example, the fractions 1/3 and 2/5 have a common denominator of 15.

common denominator Cultural

1. A number that will allow fractions with different denominators to be converted into fractions with the same denominator, so that these fractions can be added or subtracted. The fractions can be expressed as whole numbers divided by the common denominator. Thus, 12 is a common denominator for 1/3 and 1/4, since they can be written as 4/12 and 3/12, respectively. (See lowest common denominator.)

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Figuratively, a common denominator is a common factor in different events: “The common denominator in these crimes is the use of inside knowledge of computer systems.”

Etymology

Origin of common denominator

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Each is embarking on a distinct changeover path, but the common denominator of resetting is unmistakable and momentous.

From Barron's

Some on Wall Street have cited a common denominator driving trading in bitcoin and some stocks, most notably speculative plays like those focused on quantum computing.

From MarketWatch

New York is projected throughout the show, but the GPS coordinates are more precisely those of an American musical that has lost its way trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

From Los Angeles Times

The difficulties grow even more pronounced when discussing those highly visible sculptures that are usually committee-approved, intentionally uncontroversial and frequently appeal to the lowest common denominator: art in public.

From The Wall Street Journal

They have no minimum requirements and little common denominator except excluding coal and tobacco producers.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.