diagram

Everyday

1. A diagram is a simple drawing with lines, shapes and labels that shows how something works, what its parts are, or how things are connected. tree →
2. In maths a diagram is a drawing that helps you solve or show a problem, like a Venn diagram, a tree diagram or a bar model. tree →
3. (verb, mainly US) To diagram something is to show it as a diagram, as in diagramming a sentence. tree →

In the lessons

Used in every subject: science (a labelled diagram of a plant or the water cycle), maths (Venn, Carroll, tree and number-line diagrams), geography (a diagram of a volcano), and instructions for building things. «Label the diagram» and «draw a diagram» are common task words. Phrases: labelled diagram, Venn diagram, tree diagram, flow diagram, draw a diagram.

Examples

• Label the diagram of the flower with petal, stem and leaf. tree →
• Draw a diagram to show how you solved the problem. tree →
• The Venn diagram shows children who like cats, dogs or both. tree →
• The instructions had a diagram of every step. tree →
• Our teacher drew a diagram of the heart on the board. tree →
• A tree diagram helps us list all the outcomes of tossing two coins. tree →
• The diagram shows that the water goes up as vapour and comes down as rain. tree →
• Then Harisarman drew all kinds of pretended diagrams, and said: "The horse has been placed by thieves on the boundary line south from this place. tree →

Note

Countable: a diagram, two diagrams. A diagram is simpler than a picture: it leaves out details and adds labels. In maths a diagram is «not drawn to scale» if the note says so — then you must not measure it, only use the numbers given. UK «labelled», US «labeled». Adjective: diagrammatic.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Readers of Sefer Yetzirah draw the letters in a circle with Alef opposite Lamed, which spells El, a name of God. In the primary lessons: Used in every subject: science (a labelled diagram of a plant or the water cycle), maths (Venn, Carroll, tree and number-line diagrams), geography (a diagram of a volcano), and instructions for building things. «Label the diagram» and «draw a diagram» are common task words. Phrases: labelled diagram, Venn diagram, tree diagram, flow diagram, draw a diagram.

Examples

• Such diagrams are often arranged so that the letter א Alef is across from ל Lamed, spelling the name אֵל El, God. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →

Note

Countable: a diagram, two diagrams. A diagram is simpler than a picture: it leaves out details and adds labels. In maths a diagram is «not drawn to scale» if the note says so — then you must not measure it, only use the numbers given. UK «labelled», US «labeled». Adjective: diagrammatic.