Meaning & Definition of Vector in English

1. A variable quantity that can be resolved into components

2. A straight line segment whose length is magnitude and whose orientation in space is direction

3. Any agent (person or animal or microorganism) that carries and transmits a disease

• "Mosquitos are vectors of malaria and yellow fever"

• "Fleas are vectors of the plague"

• "Aphids are transmitters of plant diseases"

• "When medical scientists talk about vectors they are usually talking about insects"

4. (genetics) a virus or other agent that is used to deliver dna to a cell