Phrase guide

Reynolds number

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A dimensionless parameter that determines the behavior of viscous flow patterns. In pipe flow a value less than about 2,000 (known as the critical Reynolds number) produces laminar flow, one above about 3,000 produces turbulent flow (intermediate values produce unpredictable behavior).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: natural-sciences, physical-sciences, physics

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Named after British engineer Osborne Reynolds.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 雷諾數 /雷诺数 (Léinuòshù) — dimensionless parameter of flow
  • Hungarian: Reynolds-féle szám — dimensionless parameter of flow
  • Japanese: レイノルズ数 (Reinoruzu-sū) — dimensionless parameter of flow
  • Portuguese: número de Reynolds — dimensionless parameter of flow
  • Russian: число́ Рейнольдса (čisló Rejnolʹdsa) — dimensionless parameter of flow