precision
pri-SIZH-un
/prɪˈsɪʒn/
The quality, condition, or fact of being exact and accurate.
In gymnastics, precision refers to the exactness of a landing or the perfect extension of a limb.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'praecidere', meaning 'to cut off' or 'to shorten'. Think of cutting away all the unnecessary bits until only the exact, perfect shape remains.
Word relationships
- exactness: Exactness is the quality of being correct; precision emphasizes the detail and refinement of that correctness.
- imprecision: Lack of exactness or accuracy.
Commonly confused with
- accuracy: Accuracy is being 'right'; precision is being 'consistent and detailed'.
Word family
- precise (adjective): Marked by exactness and accuracy of expression or detail.
Collocations
- surgical precision
- mathematical precision
- clockwork precision
Example sentences
- "The judges looked for precision in every finger placement and toe point." Judging
- "The parts were machined with a precision of one-thousandth of an inch." Engineering
Memory hook
Precision is like a 'Pre-cut' diamond; it must be exact. Cutting away the errors.
When not to use
Don't confuse with 'accuracy'; accuracy is hitting the target, precision is hitting the same spot exactly every time.
Fun facts
- The word 'concise' also comes from 'caedere' (to cut), meaning to cut away extra words.
Related words
Explore more words
accuracy, replicate, replicable, rigorous, meticulous, calibrate
Also appears in
- Engineering & Industrial Design → Quality Assurance & Tolerances
- Food Science & Culinary Craft → Culinary Tools & Equipment
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Winter & Ice Sports
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Racket & Court Sports
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Motor & Racing Sports
- Physical Sciences & Cosmology → Laboratory Apparatus
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