exponent

[ ik-spoh-nuhnt, ek-spoh-nuhnt ]

noun

1. a person or thing that expounds, explains, or interprets:

   an exponent of modern theory in the arts.

   Synonyms: promoter, proponent, champion, supporter

2. a person or thing that is a representative, advocate, type, or symbol of something:

   Lincoln is an exponent of American democracy.

   Synonyms: personification, embodiment

3. 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.

exponent

/ ɪkˈspəʊnənt /

noun

1. usually foll by of a person or thing that acts as an advocate (of an idea, cause, etc)
2. a person or thing that explains or interprets
3. a performer or interpretive artist, esp a musician
4. Also calledpowerindex 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

adjective

1. offering a declaration, explanation, or interpretation

exponent

/ ĕk′spō′nənt,ĭk-spō′nənt /

1. 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 5 ³ indicates 5 × 5 × 5; the exponent x in ( a + b ) ^x indicates ( a + b ) multiplied by itself x times.

Word History and Origins

Origin of exponent¹

1575–85; < Latin expōnent- (stem of expōnēns ), present participle of expōnere to expound; -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of exponent¹

C16: from Latin expōnere to set out, expound, from pōnere to set, place

Example Sentences

If you multiply two polynomials, some terms might cancel out, but the term with the highest exponent will always survive the cancellation process.

From Quanta Magazine

For computer scientists and mathematicians, opinions about “exponent two” boil down to a sense of how the world should be.

From Quanta Magazine

If exponent two is achievable, then it’s possible to carry out matrix multiplication as fast as physically possible.

From Quanta Magazine

Since then mathematicians and computer scientists have jockeyed to lower the exponent further.

From Quanta Magazine

She established an institute that conducted classes, wrote a book on the practice, and became one of its chief exponents in the United States.

From Washington Post

Brilliant as an exponent of the virtues in Spenser, Dante, Chaucer, Lewis could not write his own poetry.

From The Daily Beast

The biggest laugh was claimed by the writer, actor and gay-rights exponent, Stephen Fry.

From The Daily Beast

Not as an exponent of entertainment, but as part of the group having a pleasant, homey evening.

From Project Gutenberg

It is this also which renders the dictionary meaning of a word, by universal remark so imperfect an exponent of its real meaning.

From Project Gutenberg

Nothing came of the plan, which is a pity, as each was a supreme exponent of his point of view.

From Project Gutenberg

Sherman was the chief Union exponent of the tactical gift that makes marches count as much as fighting.

From Project Gutenberg

All this prepared the way for the advent of Margaret Fuller, and brought about the condition of which she was the exponent.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• interpreter
• proponent