Illustration of hyperbola
- AB CD axes
- F F′ foci
- xy zw asymptotes
- h h′ h″ h′′′ hyperbola
hyperbola
noun
hy·per·bo·la
hī-ˈpər-bə-lə 
plural hyperbolas or hyperbolae
hī-ˈpər-bə-(ˌ)lē
: a plane curve generated by a point so moving that the difference of the distances from two fixed points is a constant : a curve formed by the intersection of a double right circular cone with a plane that cuts both halves of the cone
Examples of hyperbola in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When those arcs in the corners are drawn using hyperbolas, the total coverage is about 90.24%.
—
Quanta Magazine, 28 June 2024
The rounded points are traced with hyperbolas — curves that shave off as much area as possible without messing with the packing.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 June 2024
There are only finitely many of these hyperbolas and lines to begin with, and two hyperbolas (or lines) can intersect in at most four points.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
On it, black and white hyperbolas formed a zebra-like pattern, indicating structures of some sort underground.
—WIRED, 28 Sep. 2023
The corresponding mathematical function is a hyperbola.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2018
Claira Chong can graph hyperbola but couldn't write a check.
—Karina Bland, The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2021
This same relationship between monetary aggregates and the value of a currency (a hyperbola, for those who remember geometry) applies to other advanced economies and to other monetary measures such as M2 money supply.
—Douglas Carr, National Review, 14 Sep. 2020
The graphs of such curves are the conic sections — circles, parabolas, ellipses and hyperbolas.
—Quanta Magazine, 9 July 2013
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Quanta Magazine, 28 June 2024
The rounded points are traced with hyperbolas — curves that shave off as much area as possible without messing with the packing.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 June 2024
There are only finitely many of these hyperbolas and lines to begin with, and two hyperbolas (or lines) can intersect in at most four points.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
On it, black and white hyperbolas formed a zebra-like pattern, indicating structures of some sort underground.
—WIRED, 28 Sep. 2023
The corresponding mathematical function is a hyperbola.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2018
Claira Chong can graph hyperbola but couldn't write a check.
—Karina Bland, The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2021
This same relationship between monetary aggregates and the value of a currency (a hyperbola, for those who remember geometry) applies to other advanced economies and to other monetary measures such as M2 money supply.
—Douglas Carr, National Review, 14 Sep. 2020
The graphs of such curves are the conic sections — circles, parabolas, ellipses and hyperbolas.
—Quanta Magazine, 9 July 2013
Cite this Entry
“Hyperbola.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hyperbola. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share