numerical analysis

noun

: the study of quantitative approximations to the solutions of mathematical problems including consideration of and bounds to the errors involved

Examples of numerical analysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Von Neumann was interested in quantum mechanics, mathematical logic, numerical analysis, game theory and operator algebra. — Rachel Crowell, Quanta Magazine, 1 Mar. 2023 Kyle Burke was my student, working on numerical analysis at the time. — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 25 Jan. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of numerical analysis was in 1853

Rhymes for numerical analysis

See All Rhymes for numerical analysis

Browse Nearby Words

numerical
numerical analysis
numerical control
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Numerical analysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/numerical%20analysis. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on numerical analysis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about numerical analysis

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All