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
ˌspā-shē-ˈa-lə-tē How to pronounce spatial (audio)
noun
or less commonly spaciality
spatially
ˈspā-sh(ə-)lē How to pronounce spatial (audio)
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.
Architecture is morphing into a pan-disciplinary practice, where architects leave conventional practice to apply their thinking at the intersection of strategy, branding, graphic design, and spatial environments. — Lauren Sinclair, Curbed, 7 Aug. 2026 By comparison, the Sentinel 2 satellite imagery is updated every few days but provides much higher resolution imagery in certain bands down to a 10-meter spatial resolution. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026 Around two years ago, Shachar Maidenbaum, a neuroscientist who studies spatial navigation at Ben-Gurion University, in Israel, drove north with his children to visit a friend. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2026 If demanding spatial thinking protects the brain, then how societies design schooling, professional training and retirement all become questions of brain health. — Hatim Sharif, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing spatial

Rhymes for spatial

See All Rhymes for spatial

Browse Nearby Words

spathulate
spatial
spatial isomerism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spatial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spatial. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spatial

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

More from Merriam-Webster on spatial

Nglish: Translation of spatial for Spanish Speakers

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