Adimension was a characteristic ofuniverse. It was sometimes also referred to as a plane (PROSE:Twilight of the Gods^[+]Loading...["Twilight of the Gods (MA novel)"],TV:Time Heist^[+]Loading...["Time Heist (TV story)"]) or "time-space". (TV:The Greatest Show in the Galaxy^[+]Loading...["The Greatest Show in the Galaxy (TV story)"])

Characteristics[[edit] |[edit source]]

There were countless billions of dimensions, some of them incomprehensibly different toN-Space. Beings from these distant dimensions obeyed very different laws of physics and were (presumably) forbidden to cross into other dimensions.Nobody No-One came from a reality 45 billion dimensions away from N-Space and was composed of language and communication instead ofmatter andenergy. (AUDIO:The Word Lord^[+]Loading...["The Word Lord (audio story)"])

TheSixth Doctor described there being trillions and trillions of alternate dimensions, some of which could be infinitesimally smallmicro-universes. (AUDIO:The Macros^[+]Loading...["The Macros (audio story)"]) However, theSeventh Doctor later commented that one billion cubic centimetres was small in terms of a dimension's size. (AUDIO:The Light at the End^[+]Loading...["The Light at the End (audio story)"])

Time was often considered byhumans to be the "fourth dimension" (TV:"An Unearthly Child"^[+]Part ofAn Unearthly Child,Loading...{"namedep":"An Unearthly Child (1)","1":"An Unearthly Child (TV story)"}) andVicki Pallister later elaborated that time, even though a dimension in itself, had dimensions of its own. TheFirst Doctor even stated, in their adventure at the time, that he did not understand "this" fourth dimension. (TV:The Space Museum^[+]Loading...["The Space Museum (TV story)"]) Different universes possessed different time dimensions. Time moved faster inCapron's universe, requiring metabolisms to be altered so as to prevent rapid ageing when travelling to it from N-space. (AUDIO:The Macros^[+]Loading...["The Macros (audio story)"])

According to theTwelfth Doctor, theBoneless were "from a universe with only two dimensions", although the Doctor also described them as "creatures from another dimension" and mentioned a way of sending them "back to their own dimension". People in N-Space, where three dimensions were required for life to survive there, had theorised such a universe's existence, but according to the Doctor, "no-one could go there and prove its existence without a heck of adiet". (TV:Flatline^[+]Loading...["Flatline (TV story)"])

Terminology[[edit] |[edit source]]

"Dimension" was sometimes used interchangeably with "universe" or "plane".

TheElder Gods were said to have shunted themselves into a "parallel dimension" (PROSE:Millennial Rites^[+]Loading...["Millennial Rites (novel)"]) and a "parallel universe". (PROSE:All-Consuming Fire^[+]Loading...["All-Consuming Fire (novel)"])

Dimensions within the universe[[edit] |[edit source]]

The universe had eleven dimensions in total. (PROSE:Parasite^[+]Loading...["Parasite (novel)"])

Depending on perspective, the "normal" universe was variously described as being three dimensions, (AUDIO:Paradise 5^[+]Loading...["Paradise 5 (audio story)"]) four dimensions, (AUDIO:Storm Warning^[+]Loading...["Storm Warning (audio story)"],The Hollows of Time^[+]Loading...["The Hollows of Time (audio story)"]) and five dimensions, with the other six "higher dimensions" forming theSix-Fold-Realm.

When the universe was created, dimensions started to solidify out of the primal chaos [...] And in the aftermath ofEvent Zero, eleven dimensions did fight for existence. Five were triumphant - together they did become the three dimensions of space, and the two dimensions of time through which we travel. But the remaining six dimensions did still exist: although beaten, although denied their dominance, they curled and curdled amongst themselves to become a six-fold universe, separate yet conjoined.The Quantum Archangel

The first three, the three "primary dimensions," (AUDIO:The Invasion of E-Space^[+]Loading...["The Invasion of E-Space (audio story)"]) were required to sustain native life forms such ashumans andTime Lords. As theTwelfth Doctor theorised, "Perhaps [theBoneless didn't] even understand that we need[ed] three dimensions to live in." (TV:Flatline^[+]Loading...["Flatline (TV story)"]) While these made up space in the physical sense, time was considered to be the fourth dimension andspace the fifth, (TV:"An Unearthly Child"^[+]Part ofAn Unearthly Child,Loading...{"namedep":"An Unearthly Child (1)","1":"An Unearthly Child (TV story)"}) altogether forming thespace-time continuum where space and time were connected, since they both came into being at the same moment. (AUDIO:The Forbidden Time^[+]Loading...["The Forbidden Time (audio story)"]) In relation to four-dimensional space-time, the universe had seven "concealed" dimensions, "the intermediate dimensions," which held space together. (AUDIO:The Hollows of Time^[+]Loading...["The Hollows of Time (audio story)"])

Alternatively, access to the "fifth dimension" was equated as being access totime travel. (AUDIO:Mission to Magnus^[+]Loading...["Mission to Magnus (audio story)"]) After the bite of aVortisaur aged the skin ofPeter Rathbone's forearm to that of a sixty-year old, theEighth Doctor described the Vortisaurs, who were native to theTime Vortex, as "five-dimensional predators [who] make five-dimensional bite marks". (AUDIO:Storm Warning^[+]Loading...["Storm Warning (audio story)"])

Theomniverse was implied to have an infinite number of dimensions. (PROSE:Spiral Scratch^[+]Loading...["Spiral Scratch (novel)"])

Other dimensions[[edit] |[edit source]]

Hyperspace was another dimension. (TV:The Stones of Blood^[+]Loading...["The Stones of Blood (TV story)"]) It could be reached using ablack hole, which essentially collapsed dimensions into asingularity. (TV:The Horns of Nimon^[+]Loading...["The Horns of Nimon (TV story)"])

According to one account, aTARDIS' interior existed as a separate dimension from the rest of the universe. This meant the interior didn't exist, creatingtemporal grace. (TV:The Hand of Fear^[+]Loading...["The Hand of Fear (TV story)"]) Another account described TARDISes as being a part of the universe; theTenth Doctor said thathis TARDIS was "the last TARDIS in the universe". (TV:Rise of the Cybermen^[+]Loading...["Rise of the Cybermen (TV story)"]) According to another account, theEleventh Doctor said that the Doctor tellingMels that the TARDIS existed in a state of temporal grace was "a clever lie" to ensure that Mels didn't fire her gun. (TV:Let's Kill Hitler^[+]Loading...["Let's Kill Hitler (TV story)"]) Nonetheless, the Eleventh Doctor also described the huge room inside the TARDIS which was surrounded by a tiny exterior as "basically another dimension". (TV:The Vampires of Venice^[+]Loading...["The Vampires of Venice (TV story)"]) The external dimensions of the Doctor's TARDIS were once leeched by the Boneless, making its exterior shell smaller but keeping the interior the same size. (TV:Flatline^[+]Loading...["Flatline (TV story)"])

A location of space called theArc of Infinity was known as an ancient curve between dimensions. (TV:Arc of Infinity^[+]Loading...["Arc of Infinity (TV story)"])

N-Forms were constructs created by thePatrexes that were able to cross dimensions and exist in pocket dimensions of their own. (PROSE:Damaged Goods^[+]Loading...["Damaged Goods (novel)"])

TheMavora existed in only the first two dimensions, and thus they were a completely flat shape and could slide between the atoms of the universe. (COMIC:The Broken Man^[+]Loading...["The Broken Man (comic story)"])

The2Dis was able to restore three dimensions to small objects the Boneless had flattened into two dimensions and reverse the process. After the Boneless took on a 3D form in N-Space, they had the ability to "restore" dimensions as well. (TV:Flatline^[+]Loading...["Flatline (TV story)"])

E-Space was a small dimension connected toN-Space by theLogopolitans in an effort to delay the death of the universe fromentropy. Access was through aCharged Vacuum Emboitement. TheFourth Doctor andRomana II stumbled through one such CVE. (TV:Full Circle^[+]Loading...["Full Circle (TV story)"]) They found theGreat Vampire hiding there. (TV:State of Decay^[+]Loading...["State of Decay (TV story)"])

According toFenric, the Doctor trapped him in theShadow Dimensions for seventeen centuries (TV:The Curse of Fenric^[+]Loading...["The Curse of Fenric (TV story)"]) which were remnants of thepre-universe. (PROSE:The Curse of Fenric^[+]Loading...["The Curse of Fenric (novelisation)"])

TheSeventh Doctor claimedKing Arthur's craft found inLake Vortigern was from another dimension orparallel universe. (TV:Battlefield^[+]Loading...["Battlefield (TV story)"])

TheAntiverse was a universe comprised ofanti-time. Use of theOubliette of Eternity would send people to this universe, turning them intoNeverpeople. TheEighth Doctor and Romana II went there looking for the remains ofRassilon. (AUDIO:Neverland^[+]Loading...["Neverland (audio story)"])

TheDivergent Universe was a universe created by Rassilon to contain theDivergence, a race that would theoretically replace theTime Lords. The Eighth Doctor went there on a self-imposed exile. (AUDIO:Zagreus^[+]Loading...["Zagreus (audio story)"])

Jason Kane spent several years in ahell dimension. It was predominately rock. Tunnelling craft tunnelled their way between habitable areas. (PROSE:The Infernal Nexus^[+]Loading...["The Infernal Nexus (novel)"])

According to theTenth Doctor,the Morass was a dimension where time and space had been torn apart. (COMIC:The Crimson Hand^[+]Loading...["The Crimson Hand (comic story)"])

Thebubble universe was auniverse outside of N-Space which could be accessed from N-Space via aspace-time rift. (TV:The Doctor's Wife^[+]Loading...["The Doctor's Wife (TV story)"])

Theafter-universe had twenty-seven dimensions, all of whichSaraquazel existed in. (PROSE:Millennial Rites^[+]Loading...["Millennial Rites (novel)"])

Anempty dimension was a "spare dimension" "every TARDIS" carried as standard equipment. Someone imprisoned in there could not die, but they could be caged until the end of eternity. (COMIC:Doctor Who and the Iron Legion^[+]Loading...["Doctor Who and the Iron Legion (comic story)"])

In2011, theKoggnossentihubshiptransmatted toLondon from another dimension. (AUDIO:Technophobia^[+]Loading...["Technophobia (audio story)"])

At thefall of Gallifrey, the first thirteenincarnations ofthe Doctor relocatedGallifrey to a "parallel pocket universe", (TV:The Day of the Doctor^[+]Loading...["The Day of the Doctor (TV story)"]) orbubble universe. (TV:Spyfall^[+]Loading...["Spyfall (TV story)"]) Both theTwelfth Doctor andMissy acknowledged this as "another dimension". (TV:Death in Heaven^[+]Loading...["Death in Heaven (TV story)"])

Species from different dimensions[[edit] |[edit source]]

Many species were either native to different dimensions or were extra-dimensional in nature. Thetranscendental beings, such as theEternals, existed in the higher dimensions ofCalabi-Yau Space. TheGuardians of Time (AUDIO:The Destroyer of Delights^[+]Loading...["The Destroyer of Delights (audio story)"]) and theChronovores (PROSE:Blood Heat^[+]Loading...["Blood Heat (novel)"]) found it "cramped" existing in the normal dimensions.

Other extra-dimensional species included the two-dimensionalBoneless, (TV:Flatline^[+]Loading...["Flatline (TV story)"]) five-dimensionalTef'Aree, (COMIC:Tesseract^[+]Loading...["Tesseract (comic story)"]) seven-dimensionalLegions, (PROSE:Lucifer Rising^[+]Loading...["Lucifer Rising (novel)"]) and eight-dimensionalScourge. (AUDIO:The Shadow of the Scourge^[+]Loading...["The Shadow of the Scourge (audio story)"]) Ace claimed that theElysium parasites, such asthe Artifact, extended into more than eleven dimensions. (PROSE:Parasite^[+]Loading...["Parasite (novel)"])

Species that were native to other dimensions included theSpillagers, (AUDIO:Winter for the Adept^[+]Loading...["Winter for the Adept (audio story)"])Good Daleks, (AUDIO:Project Infinity^[+]Loading...["Project Infinity (audio story)"])neutron eaters, (AUDIO:Lost Souls^[+]Loading...["Lost Souls (audio story)"])Tolians,Mind leeches,Skyheads,Lava Spiders,Cubes,Nexus, (AUDIO:Dominion^[+]Loading...["Dominion (audio story)"])Edgers, (COMIC:On the Cards^[+]Loading...["On the Cards (comic story)"]) andlight-eating locusts. (TV:The Eaters of Light^[+]Loading...["The Eaters of Light (TV story)"])

Behind the scenes[[edit] |[edit source]]

While in popular culture it's common to think of "dimension" as referring to a "plane of existence", the term isn't used that way in contemporary physics. "Dimension" in physics simply refers to a quantity that can be measured.