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Synonyms

trigonometry

American  
[trig-uh-nom-i-tree] / ˌtrɪg əˈnɒm ɪ tri /

noun

  1. the branch of mathematics that deals with the relations between the sides and angles of plane or spherical triangles, and the calculations based on them.


trigonometry British  
/ ˌtrɪɡəˈnɒmɪtrɪ, ˌtrɪɡənəˈmɛtrɪk /

noun

  1.  trig.  the branch of mathematics concerned with the properties of trigonometric functions and their application to the determination of the angles and sides of triangles. Used in surveying, navigation, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

trigonometry Scientific  
/ trĭg′ə-nŏmĭ-trē /
  1. The study of the properties and uses of trigonometric functions.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of trigonometry

1605–15; < New Latin trigōnometria; see trigon, -o-, -metry

Explanation

Trigonometry is the branch of math that focuses on triangles. A student who loves trigonometry may have a career as a mathematician in her future, or as a musician specializing in playing the triangle (just kidding). When you take a trigonometry class, you'll spend a lot of time learning about the sides and angles of triangles and the functions and relationships of their measurements. You'll memorize many formulas and encounter words like sine and cosine as well. The noun trigonometry has been around for hundreds of years, ever since a sixteenth century mathematician coined it, from the Greek trigonon, "triangle" and metron, "a measure."

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Vocabulary lists containing trigonometry

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Trigonometry is reliable because of the certainty that one part always flows from another in a logical way.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Recall that we first encountered these identities when defining trigonometric functions from right angles in Right Angle Trigonometry.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

“You know all about History and English and French and everything else. What good will Trigonometry do you?”

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Maybe we could get a stronger generator so we could watch Trigonometry and Tears there.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

He’d even started watching my favorite show, Trigonometry and Tears, the high-school soap opera.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman