trigonometry

[trig-uh-nom-i-tree]

noun

1. the branch of mathematics that deals with the relations between the sides and angles of plane or spherical triangles, and the calculations based on them.

trigonometry

/ ˌtrɪɡəˈnɒmɪtrɪ, ˌtrɪɡənəˈmɛtrɪk /

noun

1. trig. the branch of mathematics concerned with the properties of trigonometric functions and their application to the determination of the angles and sides of triangles. Used in surveying, navigation, etc

trigonometry

1. The study of the properties and uses of trigonometric functions.

Other Word Forms

• trigonometric adjective
• trigonometrical adjective
• trigonometrically adverb
• nontrigonometric adjective
• nontrigonometrical adjective
• nontrigonometrically adverb
• untrigonometric adjective
• untrigonometrical adjective
• untrigonometrically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of trigonometry¹

1605–15; < New Latin trigōnometria; trigon, -o-, -metry

Word History and Origins

Origin of trigonometry¹

C17: from New Latin trigōnometria from Greek trigōnon triangle

Example Sentences

He said after realising he had seen an exam question, instead of alerting the exam board, he deleted the image containing the trigonometry question.

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“You were never going to teach a first grader a trigonometry lesson, right?” she said.

Read more on Seattle Times

Functions and trigonometry came easily, but the basics gave him trouble.

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"I have lost count of the number of people who say they wish they had learnt about mortgages rather than trigonometry," she said.

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Two high school students have proved the Pythagorean theorem in a way that one early 20th-century mathematician thought was impossible: using trigonometry.

Read more on Scientific American

Related Words

• algebra 
• calculation 
• calculus 
• geometry 
• math