polynomial

1 of 2

noun

poly·​no·​mi·​al ˌpä-lə-ˈnō-mē-əl How to pronounce polynomial (audio)
: a mathematical expression of one or more algebraic terms each of which consists of a constant multiplied by one or more variables raised to a nonnegative integral power (such as a + bx + cx2)

polynomial

2 of 2

adjective

: relating to, composed of, or expressed as one or more polynomials
polynomial functions
polynomial equations

Examples of polynomial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The shapes could be defined by polynomials—equations from high school math that sum up sequences of terms. Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024 These numbers corresponded to how many polynomials there were in each of the first few pieces of the arc space. Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024
Adjective
In practical terms, an arc space provides an infinite collection of polynomial equations. Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024 X-ray tomography and software tools like polynomial texture mapping helped researchers get a better look at inscriptions on the famous Antikythera Mechanism, for instance. Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for polynomial 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

poly- + -nomial (as in binomial)

First Known Use

Noun

1674, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1704, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polynomial was in 1674

Dictionary Entries Near polynomial

Cite this Entry

“Polynomial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polynomial. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

polynomial

1 of 2 noun
poly·​no·​mi·​al ˌpäl-i-ˈnō-mē-əl How to pronounce polynomial (audio)
: an algebraic expression having two or more terms
the polynomial a2 + 2ab − b2

polynomial

2 of 2 adjective
: relating to, composed of, or expressed as one or more polynomials
7023 written as 7(103) + 0(102) + 2(101) + 3(100) is in polynomial form

More from Merriam-Webster on polynomial

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