order of magnitude

noun
1.
the approximate size of something, esp measured in powers of 10: the order of magnitude of the deficit was as expected, their estimates differ by an order of magnitude Also called order
order of magnitude in Culture

order of magnitude definition


A rough measure of the size, or magnitude, of something, expressed as a power of ten: “The mass of the Earth is of the order of magnitude of 1024 kilograms.” Also, the range of values that such a rough statement applies to.