1 (in mathematics) an arrangement of numbers, symbols, etc in rows and columns, treated as a single quantity （数学）阵，矩阵

2 (formal 正式) the social, political, etc situation from which a society or person grows and develops （社会发展的）政治环境；（人孕育和成长的）母体: the European cultural matrix 欧洲的文化环境

3 (formal 正式) a system of lines, roads, etc that cross each other, forming a series of squares or shapes in between （线路、道路等的）系统 [SYN] network 同义词为network a matrix of paths 道路系统

4 (technical术语) a MOULD (= container into which a liquid is poured) in which sth is shaped 模型；凹模

5 (technical术语) a mass of rock in which minerals, precious stones, etc are found in the ground 脉石