approximately
adverb
ap·prox·i·mate·ly
ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət-lē 
: in an approximate manner
an event in ancient history that can only be approximately dated
—used to indicate that a stated number, amount, or value is an approximationApproximately [=around, about] 2,000 people attended the rally.
arrived at approximately 11:30 in the morning
During a lifetime, a person will take approximately 500 million breaths.—
Arthur S. Slutsky, M.D., et al.
Arthur S. Slutsky, M.D., et al.Examples of approximately in a Sentence
it takes approximately three hours to drive to Dallas
Recent Examples on the Web
The fire is approximately 184 acres, with 200 firefighters assigned.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 18 May 2026
According to Artnet, prospective bidders sparred over the Rothko for approximately four minutes before a bidder speaking on the phone with Helena Newman, the chairman of Sotheby’s Europe, closed the deal.
—News Desk, Artforum, 18 May 2026
In a $5 billion organization, that could translate to approximately $1 billion in annual spend across technology, logistics, marketing, facilities and professional services—the infrastructure that keeps the enterprise running.
—David Pennino, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
The bill, renewed approximately every five years, also historically authorizes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which provides food stamps and other benefits to millions of Americans.
—Mikayla Price, CBS News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for approximately
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Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 18 May 2026
According to Artnet, prospective bidders sparred over the Rothko for approximately four minutes before a bidder speaking on the phone with Helena Newman, the chairman of Sotheby’s Europe, closed the deal.
—News Desk, Artforum, 18 May 2026
In a $5 billion organization, that could translate to approximately $1 billion in annual spend across technology, logistics, marketing, facilities and professional services—the infrastructure that keeps the enterprise running.
—David Pennino, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
The bill, renewed approximately every five years, also historically authorizes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which provides food stamps and other benefits to millions of Americans.
—Mikayla Price, CBS News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for approximately
Cite this Entry
“Approximately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/approximately. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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