integral

Everyday

1. Integral means necessary and important as a part of a whole: you cannot have the whole without it. tree →
2. Integral also means built in, made as one piece with something. tree →
3. (maths, advanced) An integral is a calculation in calculus that finds things like the area under a curve. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life «an integral part of the team» means a key member. In design, an integral handle is part of the object, not stuck on. In secondary-school and university maths, integrals are part of calculus, invented by Newton and Leibniz. In younger maths, «integer» (a whole number) is a different but related word.

Examples

• Practice is an integral part of learning music. tree →
• She is an integral member of the choir. tree →
• The bike has an integral lock. tree →
• Water is integral to life. tree →
• In calculus, an integral finds the area under a curve. tree →
• Kindness is integral to our school values. tree →

Note

Say «IN-tuh-grul» (also «in-TEG-rul»). Do not confuse with «integer» (a whole number) or «integrity» (honesty). The calculus sense is advanced maths.