trigonometry

noun

trig·​o·​nom·​e·​try ˌtri-gə-ˈnä-mə-trē How to pronounce trigonometry (audio)
: the study of the properties of triangles and trigonometric functions and of their applications

Examples of trigonometry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Projecting how a college QB will react to the NFL’s speed and complexity, in addition to the narrow hash marks and longer seasons, can be like projecting how a math student will transition from basic algebra to trigonometry and calculus. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024 Since then, the company has educated hundreds of millions of students at no cost via the internet in subjects that range from trigonometry to financial literacy. Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2023 The last example is the cosine function from trigonometry. Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 21 Sep. 2023 Automorphic forms are a generalization of periodic functions like the sine in trigonometry, whose outputs endlessly repeat as inputs grow. Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 12 Oct. 2023 So O’Malley taught high school trigonometry himself. Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2023 Functions and trigonometry came easily, but the basics gave him trouble. Collin Binkley, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Aug. 2023 Two high school students have proved the Pythagorean theorem in a way that one early 20th-century mathematician thought was impossible: using trigonometry. Leila Sloman, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2023 Some mathematicians have stated that proving the theorem using trigonometry is impossible without circular reasoning, because trigonometry relies so much on the theorem itself. Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 31 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trigonometry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin trigonometria, from Greek trigōnon + -metria -metry

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trigonometry was in 1614

Dictionary Entries Near trigonometry

Cite this Entry

“Trigonometry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trigonometry. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

trigonometry

noun
trig·​o·​nom·​e·​try ˌtrig-ə-ˈnäm-ə-trē How to pronounce trigonometry (audio)
: a branch of mathematics concerned with the study of the properties of triangles and trigonometric functions and of their practical uses
Etymology

from scientific Latin trigonometria, literally "triangle measurement," derived from Greek tri- "three" and Greek gonia "angle" and Greek -metria "art or science of measuring"

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