metamathematics

American

[met-uh-math-uh-mat-iks] / ˌmɛt əˌmæθ əˈmæt ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

the logical analysis of the fundamental concepts of mathematics, as number, function, etc.

metamathematics British

/ ˌmɛtəˌmæθɪˈmætɪks /

noun

(functioning as singular) the logical analysis of the reasoning, principles, and rules that control the use and combination of mathematical symbols, numbers, 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

Other Word Forms

metamathematical adjective
metamathematician noun

Etymology

Origin of metamathematics

First recorded in 1885–90; meta- + mathematics

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.

Soon it dawned on a few insightful souls, Godel foremost among them, that this way of looking at things opened up a brand-new branch of mathematics--namely, metamathematics.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023