monomial
Americanadjective
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Algebra.
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consisting of one term only.
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(of a matrix) having exactly one non-zero term in each row and each column.
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Biology. noting or pertaining to a name that consists of a single word or term.
noun
noun
adjective
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consisting of a single algebraic term
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biology of, relating to, or denoting a taxonomic name that consists of a single term
Etymology
Origin of monomial
First recorded in 1700–10; mon- + (bin)omial
Explanation
In math, a monomial consists of just one term that's made up of whole numbers. The number 12 is a monomial, and so is the term 5x². Polynomials, which are algebraic expressions that look like this: x6 + 4x3 + 3x2 − 7, are composed of a string of monomials (four, in this case). Each individual term is a monomial, as long as it doesn't contain a negative exponent or a fraction. Monomial actually comes from polynomial, coined by swapping out the prefix poly-, or "many," for mono-, "one."
Vocabulary lists containing monomial
mon, mono (one)
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: mono
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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.
At the tail end of a long studio session in preparation for her first full-length album, the L.A.-based artist known by her monomial Yendry is reminiscing on Zoom.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 7, 2023
Notice that every monomial, binomial, and trinomial is also a polynomial.
From Textbooks ● May 6, 2020
Multiplying a binomial by a monomial is nothing new for you!
From Textbooks ● Apr. 22, 2020
A monomial, or two or more monomials combined by addition or subtraction, is a polynomial.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 22, 2020
But what, it may be inquired, is this great primary truth which the monomial system tends to violate?
From On the Variation of Species, with Especial Reference to the Insecta ; Followed by an Inquiry into the Nature of Genera by Wollaston, Thomas Vernon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
