Fibonacci sequence

British  

/ ˌfɪbəˈnɑːtʃɪ /

noun

1. the infinite sequence of numbers, 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc, in which each member ( Fibonacci number ) is the sum of the previous two

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Fibonacci sequence Scientific  

1. A sequence of numbers, such as 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 … , in which each successive number is equal to the sum of the two preceding numbers. Many shapes occurring in nature, such as certain spirals, have proportions that can be described in terms of the Fibonacci sequence.

2. See also golden section

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Etymology

Origin of Fibonacci sequence

named after Leonardo _Fibonacci

Example Sentences

The ad, titled “Good Will Dunkin’,” featured Affleck as the original brainy Boston math whiz, who happens to work at Dunkin’ and arranges a display of Munchkins in a Fibonacci sequence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

“One of the most beautiful vegetables to grace our planet,” Selengut says of romanesco’s alien gorgeousness in her book, noting that it’s “also the mathematical nerd’s veggie of choice,” given its Fibonacci sequence formations.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 9, 2024

The pattern they chose was the mathematically well-studied Fibonacci sequence, in which the next number in the sequence is the sum of the previous two.

From Scientific American • Jul. 26, 2022

He was a famous 12th century Italian mathematician who invented the Fibonacci sequence which stated each number is the sum of the two preceding ones.

From The Guardian • Dec. 30, 2019

I’ve read about sea animals and honeybees, and all about a beautiful piece of math called the Fibonacci sequence.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy