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polynomial
[ pol-uh-noh-mee-uhl ]
/ ˌpɒl əˈnoʊ mi əl /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
consisting of or characterized by two or more names or terms.
noun
Algebra.
- (in one variable) an expression consisting of the sum of two or more terms each of which is the product of a constant and a variable raised to an integral power: ax2 + bx + c is a polynomial, where a, b, and c are constants and x is a variable.
- a similar expression in more than one variable, as 4x2y3 − 3xy + 5x + 7.
- Now Rare.Also called multinomial. any expression consisting of the sum of two or more terms, as 4x3 + cos x.
a polynomial name or term.
Biology. a species name containing more than two terms.
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Origin of polynomial
First recorded in 1665–75; poly- + (bi)nomial
Words nearby polynomial
polymyxin, Polynesia, Polynesian, polyneuritis, Polynices, polynomial, polynomial ring, polynuclear, polynucleotide, polynya, polyol
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use polynomial in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for polynomial
polynomial
/ (ˌpɒlɪˈnəʊmɪəl) /
adjective
of, consisting of, or referring to two or more names or terms
noun
- a mathematical expression consisting of a sum of terms each of which is the product of a constant and one or more variables raised to a positive or zero integral power. For one variable, x, the general form is given by: a 0 x n + a 1 x n –1 + … + a n –1 x + a n, where a 0, a 1, etc, are real numbers
- Also called: multinomial any mathematical expression consisting of the sum of a number of terms
biology a taxonomic name consisting of more than two terms, such as Parus major minor in which minor designates the subspecies
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for polynomial
polynomial
[ pŏl′ē-nō′mē-əl ]
An algebraic expression that is the sum of two or more monomials. The expressions x2 - 4 and 5x4 + 2x3 - x + 7 are both polynomials.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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