order of magnitude

noun phrase

: a range of magnitude extending from some value to ten times that value
—often used figuratively
The two problems are not of the same order of magnitude. [=are not equally important]

Examples of order of magnitude in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Of course, the largest companies are another order of magnitude larger than that. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 According to the study, the system achieved an effective energy density more than an order of magnitude higher than existing centralized energy-harvesting approaches. — New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026 Pacific Fusion also aims to create a fusion reaction an order of magnitude more powerful than those at the national lab facilities. — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 But Starship could fly even more frequently in service of another megaconstellation — one that's bigger by an order of magnitude. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for order of magnitude

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of order of magnitude was in 1875

Rhymes for order of magnitude

See All Rhymes for order of magnitude

Browse Nearby Words

order of filiation
order of magnitude
order of service
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Order of magnitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/order%20of%20magnitude. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All