precision

precision — noun

1. correctness in very small details, especially in measurement, timing, or movemen

1.nounC1
Definition

correctness in very small details, especially in measurement, timing, or movement.

Example

The nurse measured the baby's medicine with great precision.

with precision after a verb

At noon, the bells rang with precision across the old square.

Common collocations
  • great precision
  • mathematical precision
  • pinpoint precision
  • measurement precision
  • timing precision
Synonyms
  • accuracy

    close in meaning, but often stresses being correct rather than fine exact control

  • exactness

    a plain general word for being exact, with less technical flavor

  • exactitude

    formal and less common, often used in careful or academic writing

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

with precision

a high degree of precision

precision in measurement

Usage Note

Often used for results in measuring, aiming, timing, or machine movement. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense focuses on how exact the result is, not mainly on the careful working style behind it.

Common Mistakes

The machine worked very precision.
The machine worked with great precision.
'precision' is a noun, so after a verb it usually appears in a phrase such as 'with precision'.

2. great care and accuracy in the way something is made, written, or done, especial

2.nounC1
Definition

great care and accuracy in the way something is made, written, or done, especially when small details matter.

Example

The watchmaker's precision kept the old clock running for another year.

precision as a skilled quality

Lena folded each paper crane with precision before the school fair.

work with precision

Common collocations
  • show precision
  • lack precision
  • technical precision
  • precision in design
  • precision in movement
Synonyms
  • care

    broader and more everyday, without the same strong idea of exact detail

  • meticulousness

    very close in meaning, often stressing extreme attention to tiny parts

  • thoroughness

    stresses covering every part of a task, not only exact detail

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

work with precision

show precision in detail work

lack precision

Usage Note

Often used about skilled work, writing, design, or controlled movement. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense stresses the careful manner or workmanship, not only the final exact result.

Common Mistakes

The designer finished the pattern in precision.
The designer finished the pattern with precision.
this noun usually follows 'with' when it describes how work is done.
Her precisions in the lab impressed the teacher.
Her precision in the lab impressed the teacher.
this noun is usually uncountable.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Accuracy is often the best everyday synonym when you mean that a result is correct. Precision is slightly narrower: it stresses fine control and very small margins, especially in measurement, timing, or movement. Exactness is a plain general word and can often replace precision, but it sounds less technical. Exactitude is formal and uncommon, and it is more likely to appear in academic or literary writing. In science, people sometimes separate accuracy and precision: a measuring system may be precise because it gives nearly the same result each time, yet still not accurate if the result is wrong. You can admire the precision of a surgeon's hand, but the accuracy of a student's answer.

precision ↗accuracy ↗exactnessexactitude

Common collocations

Nouns

  • degree of precision
  • level of precision
  • lack of precision

Phrases

  • measure with precision
  • work with precision

Prepositions

  • with precision
  • precision in

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Precision entered English in the mid-1700s from French precision and is closely linked to the Latin word praecisio, from a verb meaning 'cut off'. The older image is of cutting something down cleanly and exactly, which fits the modern idea of fine exactness.