spatial

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 noun
or less commonly spaciality
spatially adverb
or less commonly spacially

Examples of spatial in a Sentence

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
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.
Older adults who’ve suffered falls have a smaller hippocampus, a brain region that helps with spatial navigation, than those who avoid falling. Matt Fuchs, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025 The method of examining tissue helped pinpoint the specific spatial location of gene activity inside a sample. New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2025 The machine creates these fields in different regions of the patient’s head using different frequencies to achieve the spatial resolution. IEEE Spectrum, 5 Mar. 2025 It's certified for Hi-Res Audio and includes a four-mic array for spatial audio capture. Eric Zeman, PCMAG, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spatial

Word History

Etymology

Latin spatium space

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spatial was in 1847

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spatial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spatial. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

spatial

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

More from Merriam-Webster on spatial

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