magnitude

noun

• 1the great size or extent of something:they may feel discouraged at the magnitude of the task before them
• great importance:events of tragic magnitude

• 2size:electorates of less than average magnitude
• [count noun] a numerical quantity or value:the magnitudes of all the economic variables could be determined

• 3the degree of brightness of a star, as represented by a number on a logarithmic scale: [count noun]:the brightest stars have the lowest magnitudes
• [count noun] the class into which a star falls by virtue of its brightness: a star of the fifth magnitude
• [count noun] a difference of one on a scale of brightness, treated as a unit of measurement: a range of a tenth of a magnitude