algebra

American  

[al-juh-bruh] / ˈæl dʒə brə /

noun

1. the branch of mathematics that deals with general statements of relations, utilizing letters and other symbols to represent specific sets of numbers, values, vectors, etc., in the description of such relations.

2. any of several algebraic systems, especially a ring in which elements can be multiplied by real or complex numbers linear algebra as well as by other elements of the ring.

3. any special system of notation adapted to the study of a special system of relationship.

   algebra of classes.

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algebra British  

/ ˌældʒɪˈbreɪɪst, ˈældʒɪbrə /

noun

1. a branch of mathematics in which arithmetical operations and relationships are generalized by using alphabetic symbols to represent unknown numbers or members of specified sets of numbers

2. the branch of mathematics dealing with more abstract formal structures, such as sets, groups, etc

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algebra Scientific  

/ ăl′jə-brə /

1. A branch of mathematics in which symbols, usually letters of the alphabet, represent numbers or quantities and express general relationships that hold for all members of a specified set.

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Other Word Forms

• algebraist noun
• prealgebra noun

Etymology

Origin of algebra

1535–45; < Medieval Latin < Arabic al-jabr literally, restoration

Explanation

If the math equation you're doing has letters or other symbols that stand for numbers, you're likely doing algebra. You probably took your first algebra class early in your high school years. The noun algebra comes from Arabic word al jebr, meaning "reunion of broken parts," which appeared in the title of mathematician al-Khwarizmi's famous book on equations. In algebra you use basic arithmetic like addition and subtraction, but the quantities you're working with are often unknown — that's why they're represented by letters. You might remember solving algebra equations that look like this: a(b + c) = ab + ac. The letters a, b, and c all represent a number.

Example Sentences

"There's a terrible algebra situation going on here of all of these things will equal 'bye-bye'."

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

As a 15-year-old in algebra class, he wrote the song “Kryptonite,” drumming out the beat on his desk.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2026

Roughly one in eight freshmen lack rudimentary high-school math skills, defined as geometry, algebra and algebra 2.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

One key operation in a deep neural network involves the use of linear algebra to perform matrix multiplication, which transforms data as it is passed from layer to layer.

From Science Daily • Dec. 2, 2024

“Get ready for a course of intensive mathematics. Every day after school. You are going to master geometry and algebra if it is the last thing I do.”

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

Related Words

• calculation
• calculus
• geometry
• math