1. quantities having both magnitude and direction, represented by arrows in diagrams
Usage: mathematics; physics
2. organisms that transmit disease-causing agents from one host to another
Usage: biology; medicine
3. courses or directions of movement, especially of aircraft or ships
Usage: aviation; navigation

Examples

• The physics teacher drew vectors on the board to show force and velocity.
• Wind velocity is represented by vectors showing both speed and direction.
• Mosquitoes are vectors that spread malaria to humans.
• Ticks serve as vectors for Lyme disease transmission.
• Air traffic control assigned new vectors to the approaching aircraft.
• The pilot adjusted his vector to avoid the storm system.
• In mathematics, we add vectors by combining their components.