spatial

1 of 2

adjective

spa·​tial ˈspā-shəl How to pronounce spatial (audio)
variants or less commonly spacial
1
: relating to, occupying, or having the character of space
2
: of, relating to, or involved in the perception of relationships (as of objects) in space
tests of spatial ability
spatial memory
spatiality
ˌspā-shē-ˈa-lə-tē How to pronounce spatial (audio)
noun
or less commonly spaciality
spatially
ˈspā-sh(ə-)lē How to pronounce spatial (audio)
adverb
or less commonly spacially

spatiality

2 of 2

noun

spa·​ti·​al·​i·​ty ˌspāshēˈalətē How to pronounce spatiality (audio)
plural -es
: the quality or state of being spatial
—distinguished from temporality

Examples of spatial in a Sentence

Adjective When patients have this kind of problem, they can't feel the relationship between their body and their feet, so they must rely on visual cues to keep themselves upright. Without these cues, they lose their spatial orientation and fall. —John Pettinato, Discover, October 2004
Williams syndrome, which was first described in 1961, results when a group of genes on one copy of chromosome 7 is deleted during embryonic development. Most people with Williams resemble each other more than they do their families, with wide-set hazel eyes, upturned noses, and wide mouths. They also share a peculiar set of mental impairments. Most stumble over the simplest spatial tasks, such as putting together a puzzle, and many not read or write beyond the level of a first grader. —U.S. News & World Report, 15 June 1998
Several new ground-based and orbiting astronomical facilities that could provide high spatial and spectral resolution appear technologically ready for development during the next several decades. —Robert D. Gehrz et al., Science, 25 May 1984
the spatial dimensions of a room
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Another feature lets users build a 3D map of their house, then pull in Ring cameras to monitor people and cars moving around outside — the kind of spatial data home robots will eventually need, too. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026 Using cutting-edge spatial audio and visual tech, Morgen and his team brought Bowie’s vision to life for a film that producers say will feel like attending a real Bowie concert. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026 Fitting a dining area into a studio of this size was a true exercise in spatial gymnastics. — Nicole Gates Anderson, Architectural Digest, 28 Oct. 2026 The device reproduced the fingerprint's tiny ridges and valleys, demonstrating an impressive spatial resolution of 30 micrometers (847 dpi). — New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spatial

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin spatium space

First Known Use

Adjective

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spatial was in 1847

Phrases Containing spatial

Rhymes for spatial

See All Rhymes for spatial

Browse Nearby Words

spathulate
spatial
spatial isomerism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spatial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spatial. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spatial

adjective
spa·​tial ˈspā-shəl How to pronounce spatial (audio)
: of or relating to space
spatially
ˈspāsh-(ə-)lē How to pronounce spatial (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

spatial

adjective
spa·​tial ˈspā-shəl How to pronounce spatial (audio)
1
: relating to, occupying, or having the character of space
affected with spatial disorientation
2
: of or relating to facility in perceiving relations (as of objects) in space
tests of spatial ability
spatially
ˈspāsh-(ə-)lē How to pronounce spatial (audio)
adverb
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