exponent
a person or thing that expounds, explains, or interprets: an exponent of modern theory in the arts.
a person or thing that is a representative, advocate, type, or symbol of something: Lincoln is an exponent of American democracy.
Mathematics. a symbol or number placed above and after another symbol or number to denote the power to which the latter is to be raised: The exponents of the quantities xn, 2m, y4, and 35 are, respectively, n, m, 4, and 5.
Origin of exponent
1Other words for exponent
Words Nearby exponent
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use exponent in a sentence
If you multiply two polynomials, some terms might cancel out, but the term with the highest exponent will always survive the cancellation process.
Mathematician Disproves 80-Year-Old Algebra Conjecture | Erica Klarreich | April 12, 2021 | Quanta MagazineFor computer scientists and mathematicians, opinions about “exponent two” boil down to a sense of how the world should be.
Matrix Multiplication Inches Closer to Mythic Goal | Kevin Hartnett | March 23, 2021 | Quanta MagazineIf exponent two is achievable, then it’s possible to carry out matrix multiplication as fast as physically possible.
Matrix Multiplication Inches Closer to Mythic Goal | Kevin Hartnett | March 23, 2021 | Quanta MagazineSince then mathematicians and computer scientists have jockeyed to lower the exponent further.
New Algorithm Breaks Speed Limit for Solving Linear Equations | Kevin Hartnett | March 8, 2021 | Quanta MagazineShe established an institute that conducted classes, wrote a book on the practice, and became one of its chief exponents in the United States.
Marie Mongan, champion of hypnobirthing, dies at 86 | Olesia Plokhii | February 11, 2021 | Washington Post
Brilliant as an exponent of the virtues in Spenser, Dante, Chaucer, Lewis could not write his own poetry.
The biggest laugh was claimed by the writer, actor and gay-rights exponent, Stephen Fry.
Not as an exponent of entertainment, but as part of the group having a pleasant, homey evening.
My Wonderful Visit | Charlie ChaplinIt is this also which renders the dictionary meaning of a word, by universal remark so imperfect an exponent of its real meaning.
A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive | John Stuart MillNothing came of the plan, which is a pity, as each was a supreme exponent of his point of view.
The Letters of Ambrose Bierce | Ambrose BierceSherman was the chief Union exponent of the tactical gift that makes marches count as much as fighting.
The Civil War Through the Camera | Henry W. (Henry William) ElsonAll this prepared the way for the advent of Margaret Fuller, and brought about the condition of which she was the exponent.
The College, the Market, and the Court | Caroline H. Dall
British Dictionary definitions for exponent
/ (ɪkˈspəʊnənt) /
(usually foll by of) a person or thing that acts as an advocate (of an idea, cause, etc)
a person or thing that explains or interprets
a performer or interpretive artist, esp a musician
Also called: power, index maths a number or variable placed as a superscript to the right of another number or quantity indicating the number of times the number or quantity is to be multiplied by itself
offering a declaration, explanation, or interpretation
Origin of exponent
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for exponent
[ ĕk′spō′nənt, ĭk-spō′nənt ]
A number or symbol, placed above and to the right of the expression to which it applies, that indicates the number of times the expression is used as a factor. For example, the exponent 3 in 53 indicates 5 X 5 X 5; the exponent x in (a + b)x indicates (a + b) multiplied by itself x times.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for exponent
A number placed above and to the right of another number to show that it has been raised to a power. For example, 32 indicates that 3 has been raised to a power of 2, or multiplied by itself; 32 is equal to 9.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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