An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Value of a number or of a physical quantity given roughly, usually expressed as a power of 10. Thus, 2.5 x 10⁵ and 6.4 x 10⁵ are of the same order of magnitude, and 2 x 10⁷ is 2 orders of magnitude greater than either.

See also: → order; → magnitude.