math·e·mat·ics
| \ ˌmath-ˈma-tiks
, ˌma-thə-\
, ˌma-thə-\
Definition of mathematics
1
: the science of numbers and their operations (see operation sense 5), interrelations, combinations, generalizations, and abstractions and of space (see space entry 1 sense 7) configurations and their structure, measurement, transformations, and generalizations
Algebra, arithmetic, calculus, geometry, and trigonometry are branches of mathematics.
2
: a branch of, operation in, or use of mathematics
the mathematics of physical chemistry
Examples of mathematics in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Magic wands and supergravity The Breakthrough Prize in mathematics was given to Alex Eskin of the University of Chicago in Illinois. — Zeeya Merali, Scientific American, "First Ever Picture of a Black Hole Scoops $3-Million Prize," 5 Sep. 2019 There has been a great deal of work in mathematics and cryptanalysis around the RSA algorithm's use of primes. — Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, "Snake oil or genius? Crown Sterling tells its side of Black Hat controversy," 29 Aug. 2019 The process can take weeks, but Owen Reiser, a mathematics and biology student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, wanted to see the leaves change in a matter of seconds. — Emily Toomey, Smithsonian, "Watch Leaves Change Color in a Matter of Seconds," 14 Aug. 2019 The order inherent in mathematics helps compensate Katherine for her fractured family. — Julia M. Klein, chicagotribune.com, "The Catherine Chung equation: math + identity = elegant novel," 21 June 2019 Scores are based on a 400 to 1600 point scale, with the test split into two sections, one for reading and writing and another for mathematics. — courant.com, "Here are the Connecticut school districts with the top scores on the SAT," 6 Aug. 2019 For example, earlier this year, in the Science Museum, the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne launched a cross-government initiative to boost female participation in mathematics, engineering and technology. — Roger Highfield, Newsweek, "The Maths Behind the Simpsons' Women," 13 Sep. 2014 The researchers made this discovery by applying network theory, a type of analysis frequently used in mathematics to chart relationships between objects. — Apoorva Mandavilli, Scientific American, "How to Kill HIV: Target Its “Influencers”," 2 May 2019 According to La Voce di New York’s Maria Lisella, Count Archinto was a prominent Milanese intellectual known for his interest in philosophy, mathematics and science. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "The Frick Revives 18th-Century Frescoes Destroyed During World War II," 3 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mathematics.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for mathematics
mathematics
noun
English Language Learners Definition of mathematics
: the science of numbers, quantities, and shapes and the relations between them
mathematics
noun
math·e·mat·ics
| \ ˌma-thə-ˈma-tiks
\
\
Kids Definition of mathematics
: the science that studies and explains numbers, quantities, measurements, and the relations between them
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