nominal Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a phrase that can function as the subject or object of a verb
    nominal phrase; noun phrase.
  2. adjective relating to or constituting or bearing or giving a name
    • the Russian system of nominal brevity
    • a nominal lists of priests
    • taxable males as revealed by the nominal rolls
  3. adjective satellite insignificantly small; a matter of form only (`tokenish' is informal)
    token; tokenish.
    • the fee was nominal
    • a token gesture of resistance
    • a toknenish gesture
  4. adjective pertaining to a noun or to a word group that functions as a noun
    • nominal phrase
    • noun phrase
  5. adjective of, relating to, or characteristic of an amount that is not adjusted for inflation
    • the nominal GDP
    • nominal interest rates
  6. adjective satellite named; bearing the name of a specific person
    nominative.
    • nominative shares of stock
  7. adjective satellite existing in name only
    titular.
    • the nominal (or titular) head of his party

WordNet

Nom"i*nal adjective
Etymology
L. nominalis, fr. nomen, nominis, name. See Name.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to a name or names; having to do with the literal meaning of a word; verbal; as, a nominal definition. Bp. Pearson.
  2. Existing in name only; not real; as, a nominal difference. "Nominal attendance on lectures." Macaulay.
Nom"i*nal noun
Definitions
  1. A nominalist. Obs. Camden.
  2. (Gram.) A verb formed from a noun.
  3. A name; an appellation.
    A is the nominal of the sixth note in the natural diatonic scale. Moore (Encyc. of Music. )

Webster 1913